carbon-12
Chadwick's theory, which proposed the existence of the neutron to explain atomic mass discrepancies, faced challenges regarding its implications for atomic structure and stability. While it successfully identified neutrons as neutral particles within the nucleus, it did not fully account for the forces at play in atomic nuclei, leading to questions about nuclear stability and the behavior of isotopes. Additionally, later developments in quantum mechanics and particle physics revealed more complexities in nuclear interactions that Chadwick's initial model did not address.
Nuclear reactions involve the reaction of nuclei and does not involve transfer of electron as in regular chemical reactions.
Some examples of nuclear energy:A fission reaction at a nuclear power plant provides enough energy to give electricity to large cities.The fusion reaction in the sun provides our planet with all of the energy it needs for living organisms to survive.An uncontrolled fission reaction provides the destructive force of a nuclear bomb.source: softschools.com
subatonic particles
If we are just considering the "basic" nuclear reaction in a "regular" nuclear reactor, the particles of interest are the uranium-235 atoms (which are fissionable), and the neutrons, which get loose and cause fissions when they are absorbed by the U-235 atoms. We could broaden this to include some other reactions, but this is a fabulous place to begin to investigate nuclear physics.
In a nuclear fission reaction, a freely moving neutron undergoes neutron capture and initiates the nuclear fission of a fuel atom.
Neutron particle is needed to begin nuclear chain reaction.
A neutron is absorbed by an atoms nucleus
neutron chain reaction
When a neutron -> proton, it is called a Beta - (minus) decay.
starting the fission neutron chain reaction using some kind of pulsed neutron source.
Uranium-235
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.
The reaction chamber in a nuclear reactor is where the nuclear fission process takes place, leading to the release of energy. It contains the nuclear fuel and control rods that regulate the reaction. The purpose of the reaction chamber is to sustain and control the nuclear chain reaction that generates heat to produce electricity in a controlled manner.
'BOOM'
a neutron is absorbed by an atom’s nucleus. (apex)
The key factor that initiates a nuclear chain reaction is the presence of a neutron that can collide with and split a nucleus of a fissile material, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239.