Where is the released energy in a nuclear fission reaction?

Question

Explanations of fission reactions always say there’s a tremendous amount of energy released, but where is that energy? So, if an atom of u-235 was split in a complete vacuum, in what forms(s) would the released energy be?

In: 3

Answer 1

Radiation, specifically alpha radiation, if I recall correctly, which is a particle of two protons and two neutrons. This particle has a lot of energy in it from purely kinetic energy (traveling at 5% of light speed). When the alpha particle hits something and is absorbed or otherwise interacts with the substance, that energy turns into heat.