**Fission:**

Fission is a nuclear reaction that involves the splitting of an atomic nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of a large amount of energy. This process is typically achieved by bombarding a heavy atomic nucleus, such as uranium or plutonium, with a neutron. The nucleus absorbs the neutron, becomes unstable, and eventually splits into two smaller nuclei. Fission is the process that powers nuclear reactors and atomic bombs.

**Fragmentation:**

Fragmentation, on the other hand, refers to the breaking apart of a larger object into smaller pieces. It can occur in various contexts, such as in physics, chemistry, biology, and geology. In the context of atomic nuclei, fragmentation occurs when a heavy nucleus is bombarded with high-energy particles, causing it to break apart into several smaller nuclei and particles.

**Differences between Fission and Fragmentation:**

1. **Process:**
- Fission: Fission is a specific type of nuclear reaction that involves the splitting of an atomic nucleus into two or more smaller nuclei.
- Fragmentation: Fragmentation is a general process of breaking apart a larger object into smaller pieces, which can occur in various contexts.

2. **Energy Release:**
- Fission: Fission reactions release a large amount of energy, which is harnessed for various purposes, such as generating electricity in nuclear power plants.
- Fragmentation: Fragmentation reactions may or may not release significant amounts of energy, depending on the specific context.

3. **Nuclear Reactions:**
- Fission: Fission is a nuclear reaction that occurs in heavy atomic nuclei, such as uranium and plutonium.
- Fragmentation: Fragmentation can occur in various objects or substances, including atomic nuclei, molecules, rocks, or biological structures.

4. **Applications:**
- Fission: Fission is utilized in nuclear reactors to generate electricity and in nuclear weapons for explosive purposes.
- Fragmentation: Fragmentation has applications in fields like particle physics, where high-energy collisions are used to study the fundamental constituents of matter.

5. **Products:**
- Fission: In fission, the products are two or more smaller atomic nuclei, along with additional particles, such as neutrons and gamma rays.
- Fragmentation: The products of fragmentation can vary depending on the specific context, but they generally involve smaller pieces or fragments of the original object or substance.

In summary, fission specifically refers to the splitting of atomic nuclei with the release of a large amount of energy, while fragmentation is a broader process of breaking apart objects into smaller pieces, which can occur in various contexts.