Difference between revisions of "Nuclear Chain Reaction"
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: For a '''nuclear chain reaction''' to occur each [[Nuclear Fission|nuclear fission]] event must cause the release of at least 1 [[neutron]] which can go on to cause a second [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] event. | : For a '''nuclear chain reaction''' to occur each [[Nuclear Fission|nuclear fission]] event must cause the release of at least 1 [[neutron]] which can go on to cause a second [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] event. | ||
: In a [[Nuclear Reactor|nuclear reactor]] on [[Mean Average|average]] 1 [[neutron]] from each [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] event goes on to cause one more [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] event. This results in a constant release of [[energy]]. | : In a [[Nuclear Reactor|nuclear reactor]] on [[Mean Average|average]] 1 [[neutron]] from each [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] event goes on to cause one more [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] event. This results in a constant release of [[energy]]. | ||
| + | : The [[neutron]]s used to induce [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] must have a low [[energy]] to be captured by a [[Atomic Nucleus|nucleus]] otherwise the [[neutron]]s will just pass straight through without being captured. [[Neutron]]s with the right amount of [[energy]] to be captured are called [[Thermal Neutron|thermal neutron]]s because they have a similar [[energy]] to [[molecule]]s in the [[air]] at [[Room Temperature|room temperature]]. | ||
: A '''nuclear chain reaction''' can only happen if enough [[Thermal Neutron|thermal neutron]]s are produced from the [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] events. | : A '''nuclear chain reaction''' can only happen if enough [[Thermal Neutron|thermal neutron]]s are produced from the [[Nuclear Fission|fission]] events. | ||
Revision as of 20:57, 10 March 2019
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A nuclear chain reaction is when the neutrons released from one nuclear fission event triggers one or more other nuclear fission event.
About Nuclear Chain Reactions
- For a nuclear chain reaction to occur each nuclear fission event must cause the release of at least 1 neutron which can go on to cause a second fission event.
- In a nuclear reactor on average 1 neutron from each fission event goes on to cause one more fission event. This results in a constant release of energy.
- The neutrons used to induce fission must have a low energy to be captured by a nucleus otherwise the neutrons will just pass straight through without being captured. Neutrons with the right amount of energy to be captured are called thermal neutrons because they have a similar energy to molecules in the air at room temperature.
- A nuclear chain reaction can only happen if enough thermal neutrons are produced from the fission events.
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The neutrons released from one fission event go on to cause at least one other fission event in a chain reaction. |