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The minimum amount of material needed to sustain a nuclear reaction depends on the type of reaction. For example, in a nuclear fission reaction, a critical mass of fissile material is needed to sustain a chain reaction. In a fusion reaction, high temperatures and pressures are needed to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between nuclei.
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Fissionable material that cannot sustain nuclear reaction?
Fissionable material that cannot sustain a nuclear reaction on its own is called fissile material. Examples include uranium-238 and thorium-232. These materials can undergo fission when bombarded with neutrons but require additional enrichment or a moderator to sustain a chain reaction.
What element is needed to make a nuclear weapon?
A nuclear weapon requires enriched uranium or plutonium as the fissile material to sustain a chain reaction and create a nuclear explosion. Additionally, a conventional chemical explosive is needed to trigger the nuclear reaction.
What processes is the nuclear material divided?
Nuclear material can be divided through the process of nuclear fission. This involves splitting the atomic nuclei of heavy elements like uranium or plutonium, releasing energy and additional neutrons that can sustain a chain reaction. By controlling this process, power can be harnessed in nuclear reactors or used in nuclear weapons.
What is the science behind the atomic bomb?
The science is that of nuclear physics. By taking an unstable heavy substance, such as uranium or plutonium, and hitting it with neutrons, some of the material will break (fission) into lighter materials, releasing energy, and more neutrons, which in turn cause more material to fission. This is called a nuclear chain reaction.
What metallic element is used in nuclear weapons?
Plutonium is the metallic element used in nuclear weapons. It is highly fissile, meaning it can undergo nuclear fission and sustain a chain reaction in a nuclear bomb.
What is the quantity of fissionable material called that CANNOT sustain a nuclear reaction?
Subcritical mass is the quantity of fissionable material that cannot sustain a nuclear reaction. When the amount of fissionable material is below the critical mass required to sustain a chain reaction, it is considered subcritical.
Fissionable material that cannot sustain nuclear reaction?
Fissionable material that cannot sustain a nuclear reaction on its own is called fissile material. Examples include uranium-238 and thorium-232. These materials can undergo fission when bombarded with neutrons but require additional enrichment or a moderator to sustain a chain reaction.
What is the term that is used to describe a key factor required to start a fission reaction?
The term is "critical mass." It refers to the minimum amount of fissionable material, such as uranium or plutonium, required to sustain a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor or bomb.
What is necessary sustain a nuclear chain reaction?
In a chain reaction, neutrons released during the splitting of an initial nucleus trigger a series of nuclear fissions.
What is the minimum amount of unstable atoms needed to produce an uncontrolled chain reaction is called?
The minimum amount of unstable atoms needed to produce an uncontrolled chain reaction is called critical mass.
What is meant by supercritical and how does it relate to making a nuclear bomb?
A subcritical mass cannot sustain a nuclear chain reaction, it dies exponentiallyA critical mass can sustain a nuclear chain reaction, but it remains constant neither increasing nor decreasingA supercritical mass not only sustains a nuclear chain reaction but it increases exponentially until the mass explodesA nuclear fission bomb must become supercritical at some time in order to explode.
What is subcritical mass?
Subcritical mass refers to an amount of fissile material that is not enough to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. This means the material does not reach a critical mass where nuclear fission reactions can continue in a self-sustaining manner. In order for a sustained chain reaction to occur, the material must exceed the critical mass threshold.
Critical mass is the of material required to produce a chain reaction?
minimum amount
What element is needed to make a nuclear weapon?
A nuclear weapon requires enriched uranium or plutonium as the fissile material to sustain a chain reaction and create a nuclear explosion. Additionally, a conventional chemical explosive is needed to trigger the nuclear reaction.
What is the amount of fissionable material required to continue a reaction at a constant rate?
The amount of fissionable material required to sustain a nuclear reaction at a constant rate is determined by the material's critical mass. The critical mass is the minimum amount of fissionable material needed to sustain a chain reaction, and it varies depending on the material and the reactor design. By controlling factors such as neutron moderation and absorption, reactor operators can adjust the critical mass to maintain a steady reaction rate.
What processes is the nuclear material divided?
Nuclear material can be divided through the process of nuclear fission. This involves splitting the atomic nuclei of heavy elements like uranium or plutonium, releasing energy and additional neutrons that can sustain a chain reaction. By controlling this process, power can be harnessed in nuclear reactors or used in nuclear weapons.
Critical mass depends on what?
The Purity && The Shape AND size density
