What can the neutrons released during fission do?

During the process of nuclear fission, an unstable nucleus splits into smaller, more stable nuclei, which releases a significant amount of energy, along with several neutrons. The neutrons released can play a critical role in sustaining a chain reaction.

These emitted neutrons can collide with other fissile nuclei—such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239—causing them to undergo fission as well. This can lead to the release of additional neutrons, further propagating the reaction. This characteristic of neutrons is fundamental to the operation of nuclear reactors, where controlled chain reactions are desired to produce energy.

In contrast, other potential outcomes for the neutrons, such as ceasing nuclear fission or being absorbed without causing further reactions, do not illustrate their primary function in a fission process. Rather, it is the ability of the neutrons to instigate further fission reactions that exemplifies their crucial role in sustaining nuclear chain reactions.