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nuclear fission

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Why fission cannot take place with fast neutron?

In order to cause an atomic nucleus to become unstable so that it will undergo fission, you have to add a neutron. If a slow neutron collides with an atomic nucleus, it will be absorbed into the nucleus and become part of it. The nuclear attraction of the nucleus is strong enough to grab a slow neutron. But a fast neutron cannot be captured because it has too much kinetic energy. The attraction of the nucleus is not enough to stop the motion of a fast neutron. Even if a fast neutron makes a direct hit on an atomic nucleus, it is just going to bounce off.


What is it called when unstable nuclear atoms are split unto two?

either atomic decomposition or nuclear fission, fission being a uranium-235 or other such isotope having a slow moving neutron fired into it's nucleus.


Why slow moving neutrons are used in nuclear reacter?

Slow moving (or thermal) neutrons are best for what we really need to do, and that is to force the nucleus to split. Faster moving (or more energetic) neutrons have a tendency to bounce off the nucleus or go completely through, resulting in a non split condition. This is wasted energy. The neutron needs to go slow enough to be captured in the nucleus, and stay there long enough to destabilize it, causing it to split. In fact, we use a moderator (such as water in US light water reactors) to slow down the neutrons, which increases reactivity (K-Effective).


Why U 235 is fissioned by thermal neutron while U 238 by a fast neutron?

It's to do with the capture cross-section of the nucleus. It just happens that the U-235 nucleus has a much larger cross-section for neutron capture when the neutrons are slow, and that the subsequent nucleus is unstable and splits into two parts. With U-238, it does not undergo fission at all, it just absorbs the fast neutron and transmutes to Pu-239. As to the fundamental reason for this, it is in the complex nuclear physics field of study


When a neutron strikes a nucleus of an atom and causes it to split into two smaller nuclei and another neutron what is released immediately?

In fact when a slow neutron is absorbed by a U-235 nucleus and fission results 2.5 neutrons are ejected on average. There is also a gamma radiation release, and the two fission fragments you refer to have initially kinetic energy which then becomes converted to thermal energy as they are quickly stopped in the fuel.


Why fast neutrons are not captured by nucleus?

Fast neutrons have high kinetic energy, making them less likely to interact with the nucleus compared to slow neutrons. The high energy of fast neutrons means they often pass through the nucleus without being captured. As a result, fast neutrons are less effective in inducing nuclear reactions compared to slower neutrons.


What causes fission?

Only certain elements are fissionable, or at least with practical means. The fission of for example the atom U235 happens when it is struck by a slow neutron, it splits, which is fission, releasing two smaller atoms and two or three neutrons (products). The products from the nuclear reaction weigh less then the original atoms. The difference in weight is converted into energy.


Are alligators slow moving or fast moving?

They are generally slow.


Where does the first neutron come from to initate the fission reaction?

Nuclei of U-235 (and other elements) spontaneously emit neutrons. Most of them are too fast to be absorbed by other U-235 nuclei, so it is usually best to slow them down. This is usually done with water, sometimes with "heavy" water.


What happens when a neutron hits water?

When a neutron hits water, it interacts with the atoms in the water molecules. It bounces around, and transfers energy, much like a billiard ball. As a result, it loses energy and is slowed down. This makes water an excellent moderator for nuclear power plants, causing the neutron to slow down to the thermal range where it can interact with subsequent uranium or plutonium atoms. It is also possible that a water molecule (oxygen or hydrogen atom) can absorb the neutron, causing change in isotopic identity, fractioning the water molecule into radioactive oxygen and hydrogen.


Are cranes slow moving birds?

I know that cranes are birds but I do not know that they are slow moving.


Is a tortoise slow or fast moving?

slow