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The fission of uranium 235 gives on average 2.5 neutrons per fission. Now you may think it an odd figure, surely it must be a whole number? But in fact not all U235 nuclei follow the same route, a range of different fission products is formed, and when the yield of fission products is analysed, the graph of yield against atomic weight shows two peaks, one around AW 90 and one around 135, so a range of different elemental nuclei results. As well as the neutrons, there is a gamma ray release from the fission. The fission releases about 200 Mev, of which about 160 goes into the fission fragments, 30 into the gamma ray, and the rest into the neutrons. Therefore most of this energy release goes into the fission fragments which recoil and give up their kinetic energy as heat within the fuel elements. Many of the fission products go through subsequent decay with beta release, and once the reactor has operated for a few days and the population of fission products has settled down, these decays add appreciably to the heat generated, and when the reactor is shutdown for maintenance or refuelling this decay heat has to continue to be removed. Some of the fission products act as strong neutron poisons, so this is another factor that has to be allowed for in designing the fuel cycle.
I should perhaps add that for the nuclear chain reaction to continue at a steady rate, one neutron from each fission has to enter another U235 nucleus, causing another fission, and so on. So the excess neutrons have to be controlled, or the power would go on rising. This can be done with control rods or soluble poisons, to augment the fission product poisoning mentioned. This is more important with new fuel loaded, as the fuel charge is used up the amount of poisoning needed reduces, and eventually if more new fuel is not loaded, the reactor will gradually shut itself down.
There is a good Wikipedia article on 'Nuclear Fission', and if you look at this and follow some of the links you will find out more. One of the articles even has an animated diagram showing the fission process.
What else can I help you with?
Compare and contrast nuclear fission and nuclear fu sion?
Fission is when two particles are split to make energy while fusion combines to particles. The result of fission is usually used up radioactive material while fusion results in helium. Fusion makes more energy than fission
What is induced nuclear fission?
We might think of induced nuclear fission as a fission reaction that occurs when a neutron is captured by, say, a uranium-235 atom and that atomic nucleus undergoes fission as a result. Most all of the fission events within a nuclear reactor or nuclear weapon are induced. Given this, we might then compare that fission event to a spontaneous fission event wherein the atomic nucleus of a uranium-235 atom spontaneously undergoes fission without having captured a neutron.
When particles are split what do they create?
When particles are split, such as in nuclear fission, they typically create smaller particles, releasing a significant amount of energy in the process. This can result in the formation of lighter atomic nuclei, neutrons, and various subatomic particles. The released energy comes from the conversion of mass into energy, as described by Einstein's equation, E=mc². Additionally, splitting particles can lead to a chain reaction, especially in nuclear reactions.
What is an easy description for fission?
In nuclear fission, a very large nucleus such as a uranium nucleus breaks apart into two smaller nuclei, and some energy is released as a result. If you can get a whole lot of heavy nuclei to undergo fission at the same time, the result is an atomic bomb.
What is nuclear fission's result?
The primary result of a fission reaction is the conversion of mass to energy. In fission, the nucleus split, either through radioactive decay or as result of being bombarded by other subatomic particles known as neutrons.
Atomic bombs are the result of what nuclear reaction?
fission and/or fusion
Compare and contrast nuclear fission and nuclear fu sion?
Fission is when two particles are split to make energy while fusion combines to particles. The result of fission is usually used up radioactive material while fusion results in helium. Fusion makes more energy than fission
What is induced nuclear fission?
We might think of induced nuclear fission as a fission reaction that occurs when a neutron is captured by, say, a uranium-235 atom and that atomic nucleus undergoes fission as a result. Most all of the fission events within a nuclear reactor or nuclear weapon are induced. Given this, we might then compare that fission event to a spontaneous fission event wherein the atomic nucleus of a uranium-235 atom spontaneously undergoes fission without having captured a neutron.
What is a fission nuclear reaction?
The primary result of a fission reaction is the conversion of mass to energy. In fission, the nucleus split, either through radioactive decay or as result of being bombarded by other subatomic particles known as neutrons.
When particles are split what do they create?
When particles are split, such as in nuclear fission, they typically create smaller particles, releasing a significant amount of energy in the process. This can result in the formation of lighter atomic nuclei, neutrons, and various subatomic particles. The released energy comes from the conversion of mass into energy, as described by Einstein's equation, E=mc². Additionally, splitting particles can lead to a chain reaction, especially in nuclear reactions.
What is an easy description for fission?
In nuclear fission, a very large nucleus such as a uranium nucleus breaks apart into two smaller nuclei, and some energy is released as a result. If you can get a whole lot of heavy nuclei to undergo fission at the same time, the result is an atomic bomb.
What is the difference between the atomic bomb and hydrogen bomb?
The difference between an A-Bomb and H-Bomb is the energy reaction inside them, one of them is nuclear fusion and the other one is nuclear fission. A-Bombs contain a unstable nuclei such as Uranium 235, whiles H-Bombs contain light stable isotopes of hydrogen and sometimes helium. Nuclear fusion is the merging of atoms/particles, whilst nuclear fission is the splitting and break down of a big unstable nuclei.
What is Alternative energy source produced from atomic reactions?
Nuclear fission is when a neutron is fired at an element with a high atomic number, which splits and releases more neutrons and energy as a result. Nuclear fusion occurs in stars and experimental reactors.
Can nuclear fission be harmful?
Yes. The first use we developed for nuclear fission was the atomic bomb. The number of people who died when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is difficult to estimate precisely, but was likely over 200,000. Even aside from nuclear weapons, the products of nuclear fission are highly radioactive and fission itself produces large amount of radiation. Accidents at nuclear power plants, which use controlled fission reactions, can result in radioactive material being released into the environment.
What is nuclear fission's result?
The primary result of a fission reaction is the conversion of mass to energy. In fission, the nucleus split, either through radioactive decay or as result of being bombarded by other subatomic particles known as neutrons.
What is the definition of necular energy?
Atomic energy is released during a nuclear reaction during fission or fusion. It is released by the nucleus of an atom and can also be a result of radioactive decay.
What is true about all nuclear reactions?
All nuclear reactions involve changes in the structure of atomic nuclei, which can result in the release of a large amount of energy. These reactions are governed by the principles of conservation of mass and conservation of energy. Additionally, nuclear reactions can involve the splitting (fission) or combining (fusion) of atomic nuclei.
