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Fission chain reactions occur because of interactions between neutrons and fissile isotopes (such as 235U). The chain reaction requires both the release of neutrons from fissile isotopes undergoing nuclear fission and the subsequent absorption of some of these neutrons in fissile isotopes. When an atom undergoes nuclear fission, a few neutrons (the exact number depends on several factors) are ejected from the reaction. These free neutrons will then interact with the surrounding medium, and if more fissile fuel is present, some may be absorbed and cause more fissions. Thus, the cycle repeats to give a reaction that is self-sustaining.

Nuclear power plants operate by precisely controlling the rate at which nuclear reactions occur, and that control is maintained through the use of several redundant layers of safety measures. Moreover, the materials in a nuclear reactor core and the uranium enrichment level make a nuclear explosion impossible, even if all safety measures failed. On the other hand, nuclear weapons are specifically engineered to produce a reaction that is so fast and intense it cannot be controlled after it has started. When properly designed, this uncontrolled reaction can lead to an explosive energy release

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Related Questions

What is the meaning of nuclear reactor?

It is a device where a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction occurs.


Can the chain reaction of nuclear fission be stopped or controlled?

Yes, the chain reaction of nuclear fission can be controlled by using control rods made of materials like boron or cadmium that absorb neutrons, thus regulating the rate of fission. Additionally, cooling systems can also be used to control the temperature and prevent the reactor from overheating.


How is fission inside a powerplant controlled?

Fission in a power plant is controlled by using control rods made of materials like boron or cadmium that absorb neutrons, slowing down or stopping the chain reaction. By adjusting the position of these control rods, operators can regulate the rate of fission, maintaining a stable and controlled nuclear reaction to generate heat for electricity production.


Mechanism and container for controlled fission is called?

The mechanism for controlled fission is nuclear reactors, which utilize a controlled chain reaction to generate heat. The container used to house this process is typically a reactor core, which contains the fuel, control rods, and coolant necessary for maintaining the fission reaction at a steady rate.


Which of the following is the name given to a situation in which one fission reaction innstigates exactly one more fission reaction?

A runaway chain reaction.It is called super criticality, with KEffective > 1.When one fission reaction instigates more than one or more fission reactions it is called a Chain Reaction.KEffective is the neutron multiplication factor which is an indication of whether a reaction is stable (=1), increasing (>1), or decreasing (


When was fission reaction invented?

The first time a fission chain reaction was produced was in 1942


What particle is used to start nuclear fission?

In actuality, a spontaneous fission event begins a nuclear chain reaction. It kick starts a nuclear chain reaction. And a neutron from that fission will initiate another fission to continue and rev up that nuclear chain reaction.


does nuclear fission produce energy?

A controlled nuclear chain reaction produces heat, driving steam turbines to produce energy.


A fission chain reaction can be controlled by using materials that will?

absorb and slow down neutrons, such as control rods made of materials like boron or cadmium. By inserting these control rods into the reactor core, the rate of the fission chain reaction can be regulated, allowing for safe and controlled energy production.


What causes the nuclear reaction to keep going once it has started?

The nuclear reaction in nuclear power plants continues because of a self-sustaining chain reaction. In this process, neutrons produced by fission cause further fission in other uranium or plutonium nuclei, releasing more energy and more neutrons. This chain reaction is controlled and moderated by control rods to maintain a stable and controlled release of energy.


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.


For a chain reaction to occur each vision must produce at least more fission reaction Apex?

In a chain reaction, each fission reaction must produce at least one additional fission reaction to sustain the reaction. This is necessary to achieve a self-sustaining nuclear reaction where each fission event leads to more fission events, releasing energy in the process. Without this multiplication of fission reactions, the chain reaction would not be able to continue and sustain itself.