Fission
'fɪʃən
Definitions
The process of dividing or splitting something into two or more parts; specifically, in biology, the process of asexual reproduction involving division of a cell into two or more cells, and in nuclear physics, the splitting of an atomic nucleus.
'fɪʃən
The action of dividing or splitting something into two or more parts.
The scientist studied the process of nuclear fission.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a piece of candy that you break into two. Fission is like that, but it can happen to a cell or even an atom! In biology, some tiny creatures split themselves in two to make more of themselves. In nuclear physics, it's how we get a lot of energy from atoms. It’s like magic, but with science!
👶 For kids: Fission means splitting something into two pieces. Like splitting a toy in half!
More Examples
Binary fission is a common form of reproduction for single-celled organisms.
The fission of the atom released a massive amount of energy.
How It's Used
"Binary fission is a method of asexual reproduction in bacteria."
"Nuclear fission releases a tremendous amount of energy."
From Latin fissio ('a splitting'), from findere ('to split'). Initially used in biology, later adopted for nuclear physics.
The term was first used in biology to describe cell division, and later adopted in the early 20th century to describe the splitting of the atom's nucleus.
Memory tip
Think 'fish' splitting. Fish is a metaphor.