# Describe the products released during nuclear fission and explain why these products are important for sustaining a chain reaction.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.4.4 Nuclear fission and fusion (Phys only) · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Fission produces two smaller (more stable) nuclei
2. Fission also releases two or three neutrons (and gamma rays / energy)
3. The released neutrons can be absorbed by other large unstable nuclei
4. This induces further fission reactions, so the chain reaction is self-sustaining

## Key terms

- [nuclear fission](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/nuclear-fission)
- [chain reaction](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chain-reaction)

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