Spontaneous fission

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011243",
  "term": "Spontaneous fission",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A form of radioactive decay where a heavy atomic nucleus divides into two or more smaller, lighter nuclei without any external stimulus or collision. This process releases neutrons and a large amount of energy. Spontaneous fission is a probable decay mode only for very heavy nuclides, with the probability increasing with atomic number; for example, it is the primary decay mode for californium-254.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "nuclear fission",
    "nucleus",
    "nuclear particle"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1982, 54, 1533. 'Glossary of terms used in nuclear analytical chemistry (Provisional)' on page 1542 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198254081533)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/spontaneous-fission/"
}