Learning Journey
The Heart of the Atom
Understanding nuclear structure and what makes fission possible
Nucleus

Remember from the last page: energy comes from breaking bonds. Chemical reactions break weak bonds between atoms. But nuclear reactions break the incredibly strong bonds inside the atom's nucleus itself.

The Atom Structure

Nucleus - Tiny, incredibly dense core
Protons - Positive charges
Neutrons - No charge, nuclear "glue"
Electrons - Orbiting negative charges

Why Uranium?

92 protons - Very heavy nucleus
Barely stable - Ready to split
Fissile - Can be split by neutrons
Massive energy release when split

The Scale Difference

AtomEntire atom
Nucleus1/10,000th the size

If an atom were the size of a football stadium, the nucleus would be a marble at the center. That tiny marble contains 99.9% of the mass and ALL the nuclear energy!

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