An image shows uranium splitting into smaller pieces, and each piece turns into a neutron. Then all those small neutrons turn into large uranium, and split again, repeating the cycle.

Question

Which type of reaction is shown?

A. Fusion is shown because nuclei are being split into smaller and smaller pieces.
B. Fission is shown because nuclei are being split into smaller and smaller pieces.
C. Fusion is shown because mass is being converted into energy as nuclei combine.
D. Fission is shown because mass is being converted into energy as nuclei combine.

Answer 1

The reaction described in the image involves uranium splitting into smaller pieces, resulting in the release of neutrons, which can then induce further fission in other uranium nuclei. This process is characteristic of nuclear fission, not fusion.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

B. Fission is shown because nuclei are being split into smaller and smaller pieces.