Main Entry: atomic energy Function: noun : energy that can be liberated by changes in the nucleus of an atom (as by fission of a heavy nucleus or fusion of light nucleiinto heavier ones with accompanying loss of mass)
The energy released by the nucleus of an atom as the result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or radioactive decay. The amount of energy released by the nuclear fission of a given mass of uranium is about 2,500,000 times greater than that released by the combustion of an equal mass of carbon. And the amount of energy released by the nuclear fusion of a given mass of deuterium is about 400 times greater that that released by the nuclear fission of an equal mass of uranium. Also called atomic energy.
