Fissionable

/ˈfɪʃənəbəl/ adjective

Definition

Capable of undergoing nuclear fission; able to split and release energy when bombarded with neutrons.

Etymology

From fission (Latin 'fissio,' meaning a splitting) + -able; became standard terminology in nuclear physics in the 1940s.

Kelly Says

Only certain isotopes are fissionable, but scientists realized that fact and suddenly the course of history pivoted—it's why enriched uranium became the most guarded material on Earth!

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