Nuclear fission is a process with immense importance as a source of energy. It involves the splitting of atomic nuclei, primarily utilizing uranium. This concept has a rich historical background, with renowned scientists like Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann discovering nuclear fission in the late 1930s.

When a uranium-235 nucleus, for example, absorbs a neutron, it becomes highly unstable. As a result, it splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy in the process. This energy release is what makes nuclear fission a viable source of power.

To better understand this, let's use the analogy of a game of billiards. Imagine the uranium-235 nucleus as a cue ball, and the incoming neutron as the striking ball. When the striking ball hits the cue ball, it causes it to break into two smaller balls, releasing energy in the process.

In summary, nuclear fission is the process of splitting atomic nuclei, particularly using uranium, which leads to the release of enormous amounts of energy. Its discovery and subsequent understanding revolutionized the field of energy generation and paved the way for the development of nuclear power plants.