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Neutrons do this.
When 235U undergoes fission, the result is the production of two daughter atoms, each very roughly half the mass of the original atom, a number of neutrons, and heat. The neutrons then can collide with other fissile or fissionable atoms causing them to undergo fission much more quickly than they otherwise would.
When uranium-235 undergoes fission, it releases neutrons that can interact with other uranium-235 nuclei, causing them to also undergo fission and release more neutrons. This creates a chain reaction that can propagate rapidly, leading to a large amount of energy release.
A reaction in which enough neutrons are released for each fissioned nucleus to enable at least one to be captured by a further nucleus causing another fission, and so on. This can happen with U-235 and Pu-239, provided the geometry of the fuel arrangement and moderator is optimised.
Fission of the nucleus of U-235 occurs when a neutron is captured. To form and maintain a chain reaction at a steady rate, the neutron population in the active reactor must be held constant. U-235 nuclei both capture neutrons and emit neutrons, and in fact produce 2.5 neutrons per fission on average (the fission can occur in various different ways so it is not a whole number on average though for any one fission it must be a whole number). This gives the possibility of a chain reaction, but if uncontrolled the neutron population would rise quickly and you would have a bomb. Therefore in a reactor you have to design it so that every neutron born from fission has to produce just one more free neutron, and the population remains steady. Some excess neutrons are lost at the core boundaries, some are absorbed in the reactor structure and moderator, and some in the control rods. The control rod position can be varied so that things are just balanced, and the chain reaction just continues.
Please note that this doesn't work for ANY uranium; only for uranium 235, which makes up about 0.7% of naturally occuring uranium.The chain reaction works because:
* A single neutron, striking a U-235 atom, will make it split.
* Not only will the U-235 atom split into two or three smaller atoms; but critically, it will also produce two or three extra neutrons. These can continue the reaction, if they happen to crash into another U-235 atom.
The release of neutrons by the fissioned nuclei, which enter and cause the decay of the next nuclei in the chain.
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What part of a nuclear power plant that undergoes a fission reaction called?
The part of a nuclear power plant that undergoes a fission reaction is called the reactor core. This is where the nuclear fuel, such as uranium or plutonium, is housed and where the chain reaction occurs to produce heat energy.
What is a particle released during the fission of uranium235?
One of the particles released during the fission of uranium-235 is a neutron. When uranium-235 undergoes fission, it splits into two smaller atoms along with several neutrons. These neutrons can then go on to initiate additional fission reactions in a chain reaction.
What term describes the reaction process in a fission reaction?
Nuclear fission is the term that describes the reaction process in which the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy.
Which particle is commonly used to initiate a fission chain reaction?
Neutrons are commonly used to initiate a fission chain reaction. When a neutron collides with a nucleus of a fissile material like uranium-235 or plutonium-239, it can split the nucleus, releasing more neutrons and causing a chain reaction.
What particle is captured by other nuclei in a nuclear chain reaction triggering additional fission events?
Neutrons are the particles captured by other nuclei in a nuclear chain reaction. When these neutrons are absorbed by other nuclei, it can trigger additional fission events, leading to a self-sustaining chain reaction.
Why a chain reaction occurs when uranium-235 undergoes fission?
When uranium-235 undergoes fission, it releases additional neutrons that can then collide with other uranium-235 atoms, causing them to also undergo fission. This process releases more neutrons, leading to a chain reaction. If the conditions are right and enough uranium-235 is present, this chain reaction can become self-sustaining and release a large amount of energy.
What part of a nuclear power plant that undergoes a fission reaction called?
The part of a nuclear power plant that undergoes a fission reaction is called the reactor core. This is where the nuclear fuel, such as uranium or plutonium, is housed and where the chain reaction occurs to produce heat energy.
What is a particle released during the fission of uranium235?
One of the particles released during the fission of uranium-235 is a neutron. When uranium-235 undergoes fission, it splits into two smaller atoms along with several neutrons. These neutrons can then go on to initiate additional fission reactions in a chain reaction.
Is a chain reaction possible in a substance that emit no neutrons when it fission?
No, a chain reaction is not possible in a substance that emits no neutrons when it undergoes fission. Neutrons are required to sustain a chain reaction by triggering the fission of other atoms in the substance. Without neutron production, the fission process cannot continue to release energy and sustain the chain reaction.
Which is an example of a highly unstable isotope that is often used in fission reactions?
Uranium-235 (U-235) is an example of a highly unstable isotope that is used in fission reactions. It undergoes spontaneous fission, releasing a large amount of energy and additional neutrons, which can then go on to induce fission in other uranium atoms, leading to a chain reaction.
How many neutrons are produced during a typical uranium fission reaction and what is the role of these neutrons in a nuclear chain reaction?
On average, about 2-3 neutrons are produced during a uranium fission reaction. These neutrons are crucial as they can go on to strike other uranium nuclei, causing them to undergo fission as well. This process creates a chain reaction that releases more energy and additional neutrons, leading to a sustained nuclear reaction.
How is nuclear fission like a chain reaction?
One large nucleus, typically uranium, undergoes fission and releases several neutrons along with the major fission products. These neutrons strike more uranium atoms and are absorbed by the nucleus causing it to become unstable. It undergoes fission releasing more neutrons and more fission products. These neutrons strike more uranium atoms etc.
The element most commonly used as a fuel in nuclear fission reaction is?
The element most commonly used as a fuel in nuclear fission reactions is uranium-235. It is a naturally occurring isotope of uranium that can sustain a chain reaction under controlled conditions in nuclear reactors.
What term describes the reaction process in a fission reaction?
Nuclear fission is the term that describes the reaction process in which the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy.
Which particle is commonly used to initiate a fission chain reaction?
Neutrons are commonly used to initiate a fission chain reaction. When a neutron collides with a nucleus of a fissile material like uranium-235 or plutonium-239, it can split the nucleus, releasing more neutrons and causing a chain reaction.
What contains uranium pellets for fission reaction?
Nuclear fuel rods contain uranium pellets for the fission reaction. The uranium pellets undergo a controlled chain reaction in a nuclear reactor, releasing heat energy that is used to generate electricity.
What particle is nessicary to start a fisson reation?
Neutrons are necessary to start a fission reaction. When a neutron collides with a heavy atomic nucleus, such as uranium-235, it can induce the nucleus to split and release more neutrons, leading to a chain reaction.
