Which of the following statements characterizes nuclear fission? Select one:
a. Heavy nuclei heated to extremely high temperatures combine, releasing large amounts of energy.
b. Lightweight nuclei combine to form heavier, more stable nuclei.
c. The splitting of a nucleus released a large burst of energy.
d. Unstable nuclei combine and become stable when the available energy is converted into matter.

C) the splitting of a nucleus released a large burst of energy

Explanation:

nuclear fission occurs when an isotope (usually unstable) is hit with particles such as neutrons and splits, resulting in an extreme burst of energy.

for instance, the atomic bombs developed by the U.S. during WWII were products of nuclear fission in which plutonium-239 and uranium-235 were struck by a neutron that hit either nucleus of either isotope. The result was the neclus split into fragments that released huge amounts of energy snd the fission process became self-sustaining as neutrons produced by the splitting nucleus hit other nuclei and produce more fission, causing a chain reaction.