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a thermal slow neutrons that will fission by a chain reaction of the nutrons.

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What uranium nucleus is fissile?

The isotopes 233U and 235U are fissile with thermal neutrons and the isotope 238U is fissile with fast neutrons.


What is nuclear breeding?

This means the breeding of fissile material from non-fissile. Thus for example Pu239 results from irradiating U238 which is not fissile. Thorium can also be used to breed fissile uranium.


What is the bullet that starts a fission reaction?

The bullet that starts a fission reaction is a neutron. When a neutron collides with the nucleus of a fissile isotope, such as uranium-235, it can induce the nucleus to undergo fission, releasing more neutrons and a large amount of energy.


What does it mean when the isotope is fissile?

"Fissile" means "capable of undergoing fission."


What is another example of fragmentation?

Cleavage, pyrolysis___________________________________________________________________the nuclear fission of a fissile nucleus (as U-235 or Pu-23) into usually two fragments plus two or three neutrons


Why were breeder reactors developed?

Breeder reactors were developed to allow use of non-fissile or fertile fuel, such as uranium-238 and thorium-232, instead of fissile fuel, such as uranium-235 and plutonium-239. They do have fissile fuel in them, but they use its neutron flux to convert the non-fissile (fertile) fuel into fissile form, extending the lifespan of the core.


Which particle is commonly used to initiate a fission chain reaction?

Neutrons are commonly used to initiate a fission chain reaction. When a neutron collides with a nucleus of a fissile material like uranium-235 or plutonium-239, it can split the nucleus, releasing more neutrons and causing a chain reaction.


What is the key factor that initiates the nuclear chain reaction?

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.


What are fissile elements and what makes them fissile elements?

Fissile elements are those in which the nucleus will fission or split, thus releasing energy. The two which are involved in nuclear reactors are uranium 235 and plutonium 239. Uranium is the only naturally occurring one, plutonium is created when uranium 238 is irradiated in a reactor, and when chemically separated and purified it can be used together with uranium for further supplies of nuclear fuel. When a uranium 235 nucleus captures a neutron, it splits into two other nuclei, of lower atomic number (the fission products) and also releases another 2 or 3 neutrons, plus a lot of energy. By adjusting the balance between allowing neutrons to find U235 nuclei, and absorbing them in other material in the reactor, the reactor can be adjusted to just continue at a steady neutron flux level and hence a steady power level.


What does it means if an isotope is fissile?

If an isotope is fissile, it means that it can undergo nuclear fission reactions when bombarded by neutrons. This process releases a large amount of energy and more neutrons that can sustain a chain reaction. Fissile isotopes are commonly used in nuclear reactors and weapons.


What does it mean if a isotope is fissile?

A fissile isotope is one that can undergo fission when struck by a neutron, releasing energy and more neutrons that can then cause further fission reactions. This property is essential in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. Examples of fissile isotopes include uranium-235 and plutonium-239.


Why does uranium give out alpha particles?

Uranium-238 is fissionable. Its just not what we call fissile, which has the added definition of, when fissioned, producing neutrons that can go on to fission more atoms. Uranium-238 is more correctly called fertile, which means that a neutron can transmute it into another isotope, such as plutonium-239, which is fissionable and fissile.Uranium-235, on the other hand, is both fissionable and fissile.