Which energy form is produced by splitting the nuclei of atoms?

Which energy form is produced by splitting the nuclei of atoms?

• A. Solar Energy
• B. Nuclear Energy
• C. Chemical Energy
• D. Kinetic Energy

Answer: (B)

Splitting the nuclei of atoms releases energy stored inside the nucleus, called nuclear energy. When a heavy nucleus undergoes fission, it breaks into lighter pieces and a portion of the nucleus’s mass is transformed into energy, in line with E=mc^2. This results in a very large amount of energy per event compared with chemical reactions, which involve electrons and chemical bonds rather than the nucleus. Solar energy, while ultimately linked to the sun’s nuclear fusion, is energy we obtain as sunlight—radiant energy—not energy produced by splitting atoms here on Earth. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion and can be released in many processes, but it isn’t the specific energy form produced by splitting atomic nuclei.

Splitting the nuclei of atoms releases energy stored inside the nucleus, called nuclear energy. When a heavy nucleus undergoes fission, it breaks into lighter pieces and a portion of the nucleus’s mass is transformed into energy, in line with E=mc^2. This results in a very large amount of energy per event compared with chemical reactions, which involve electrons and chemical bonds rather than the nucleus. Solar energy, while ultimately linked to the sun’s nuclear fusion, is energy we obtain as sunlight—radiant energy—not energy produced by splitting atoms here on Earth. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion and can be released in many processes, but it isn’t the specific energy form produced by splitting atomic nuclei.