fission
fission — noun
1. In physics, a reaction where an atomic core splits into two smaller pieces and g
In physics, a reaction where an atomic core splits into two smaller pieces and gives off a powerful burst of energy.
Nuclear fission is used in power plants around the world to generate electricity.
collocation: nuclear fission
When a uranium atom undergoes fission, the heat released can turn water into steam.
undergoes fission
The discovery of nuclear fission in 1938 changed the way scientists think about energy.
Hari explained to the class how a single fission event can set off a chain reaction.
Putri's research project focuses on making fission reactors safer and more efficient.
- splitting
more general term; fission is a specific type of nuclear splitting
- disintegration
implies complete breakdown; fission produces two main fragments, not many small pieces
- fusion
the joining of atomic nuclei instead of splitting them
文法句型
nuclear fission
undergo fission
fission of + noun
用法筆記
The most common association is with nuclear energy; 'fission' in everyday news almost always refers to nuclear fission rather than the biological sense.
常見錯誤
2. In biology, a type of reproduction where a living cell divides to create new org
In biology, a type of reproduction where a living cell divides to create new organisms from a single starting cell.
Bacteria can multiply very quickly through a simple process called binary fission.
binary fission
Lukas watched under the microscope as a single amoeba split into two by fission.
split into two by fission
Some types of algae use fission to produce thousands of new cells in just a few hours.
Sade's biology notes compare fission in bacteria with the cell cycle in humans.
In simple organisms, fission acts as the main way to create offspring without a partner.
- fusion
in cell biology, fusion is the joining of cells (e.g., during fertilization)
文法句型
binary fission
fission of + cell/organism
by fission
用法筆記
When describing reproduction, 'binary fission' (splitting into two) is the most common subtype. Distinguish from 'mitosis', which produces two identical nuclei but is part of a larger cell cycle involving multiple stages.
常見錯誤
fission — verb
- fissionpresent simple I / you / we / they
- fissions3rd person singular
- fissioning-ing form
- fissionedpast simple
1. When an atom's nucleus or a living cell splits apart from within through nuclear
When an atom's nucleus or a living cell splits apart from within through nuclear or biological division, without being forced by an outside cause.
When the nucleus fissions, it releases both energy and free neutrons.
nucleus fissions
Under the right conditions, the cell fissions into two identical daughter cells.
fissions into [number] [cells]
James watched as the uranium atom fissioned after absorbing a single neutron.
As the colony of bacteria grows, each organism fissions when it reaches a certain size.
文法句型
[atom/cell] fissions
[atom/cell] fissions into [parts]
用法筆記
Frequently used in scientific writing rather than everyday speech. The past form 'fissioned' is regular.
2. To force an atom's nucleus or a living cell to split apart through nuclear or bi
To force an atom's nucleus or a living cell to split apart through nuclear or biological division, by applying energy or reacting with it.
The reactor fissions uranium atoms to produce heat for the power plant.
reactor fissions [element] atoms
A single neutron can fission one uranium nucleus and trigger more neutrons.
Gabriel's team is studying how to fission certain elements more efficiently.
Omar adjusted the machine so that it fissioned the sample at the right temperature.
- split
the everyday alternative; 'split an atom' is more understood by general readers
- fuse
to join atoms together, the opposite of splitting them
文法句型
fission [atom/nucleus/cell]
[device] fissions [substance]
用法筆記
Very rare in everyday language. The object is typically a nuclear fuel like uranium or plutonium.