What causes nuclear reactions?

Answer 1

an atom has a part called nucleus which can be split apart.When this is done a tremedous amount of energy is released.The energy is both heat and light if this is energy is let out slowly then it can be harnessed to make electricity if it is let out all at once it will cause nuclar energy

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Answer 2

The nuclear energy that we use in power stations arises because the U235 nucleus will fission, ie split, when exposed to neutrons, and in the fissioning more neutrons are released. Therefore a chain reaction can result, which has to be controlled but can be maintained at a steady level. Every fission results in heat being released, therefore the chain reaction, at so many fissions per second, results in a steady heat output.

Answer 3

Not sure what you mean by 'causes'. Nuclear Power is caused by the fact that Uranium 235 can be made to sustain a chain reaction and produce heat in a controlled way, which can then be used to produce electricity.

Answer 4

For fission reactors, in short, neutrons. Certain neutrons destabilize the nucleus of Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239 and cause them to split, producing more neutrons. The resulting mass is less than the original components, representing a loss of binding energy (Strong Atomic Force) which is generally released as heat.

Answer 5

A couple of naturally occurring isotopes, notably 235U and 238U, undergo fission spontaneously, and isotopes that do this are called fissile. A theory explaining why fission happens this way has to do with virtual particles caused by vacuum fluctuations. If this sounds like 21st century Voodoo, then an easier, but compatible, explanation is that it happens by chance.

Fissionable isotopes can be caused to undergo fission by being struck by neutrons. The fact that fission produces neutrons and neutrons can cause fission is why we can have nuclear chain reactions.

The related question listed below deals with the fission of uranium in more detail.

Answer 6

A proton