Which term is used for the process that releases a significant amount of energy in nuclear plants?

Fission is the process used in nuclear power plants to release a significant amount of energy. In fission, the nucleus of a heavy atom, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, is split into two or more smaller nuclei, along with a few neutrons and a large amount of energy. This energy is primarily released in the form of heat, which is then used to generate steam that drives turbines to produce electricity.

This process is fundamental to the functioning of nuclear reactors. When the fission reaction occurs, it also initiates a chain reaction, as the neutrons released can further collide with other fissionable atoms, causing them to split as well. This leads to a continuous release of energy as long as there is enough fissionable material and a controlled environment to sustain the reaction.

The other terms, while related to nuclear processes, do not describe the energy-releasing process in the same way. Radiation refers to the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, which can occur as a result of fission but is not the process itself. Decay involves the spontaneous transformation of an unstable atomic nucleus into a more stable one, which does release energy but not in the large quantities generated through fission.