Nuclear fission is a process that involves the splitting of an atomic nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei. It is also known as atomic fission, nuclear fragmentation, or atomic disintegration. Another term used to describe this process is nuclear splitting, which refers to the breaking apart of the nucleus. Other synonyms for nuclear fission include atomic cleavage, atomic division, and atomic dissolution. These synonyms are useful for avoiding repetitive phrasing in scientific writing and can also help to make technical concepts more accessible to a broader audience.