Spontaneous fission: Occurs without external triggers | Induced fission: Requires an input of energy, usually a neutron.

Fission: Splitting of a heavy nucleus | Fusion: Combining of light nuclei.

The splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei, releasing energy.

The combination of light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Spontaneous transformation of unstable nuclei into more stable configurations.

The time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

The probability of a single nucleus decaying per unit time, denoted by λ.

The fundamental force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, overcoming electromagnetic repulsion.

The strong force is the fundamental force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, overcoming electromagnetic repulsion between protons.

Mass-energy equivalence states that mass and energy are interchangeable, described by the equation $E=mc^2$, where a small change in mass can result in a large change in energy.

Nuclear fusion is the process where two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy due to the mass defect.

Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy.

Radioactive decay is the spontaneous transformation of an unstable nucleus into a more stable configuration, often accompanied by the emission of particles or energy.

Half-life ($t_{1/2}$) is the time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

The decay constant ($lambda$) represents the probability of a single nucleus decaying per unit time. It is related to half-life by the equation $\lambda = \frac{\ln 2}{t_{1/2}}$.