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Neutrons are the important particles of nuclear chain reactions and the reactions depend on them. The neutrons do not really start the fission, reaction, however, because the neutrons come from fission in the fuel.

The material in the fuel, typically a mix of 235U and 238U, undergoes fission spontaneously. When a fission event happens, more neutrons, typically two or three, are emitted. These bounce about from atom to atom, until they cause another atom to undergo fission, releasing more neutrons to increase the rate at which atoms undergo fission.

But the neutrons needed for the chain reaction are actually produced by the fuel spontaneously, and these are produce in an ongoing manner with or without critical mass. So it is not a particle that starts the chain reaction; it is the act of putting together a critical mass.

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How do you stop or slow the nuclear reaction in a nuclear power plant?

Once a meltdown occurs at a nuclear power plant, there is no way to stop or slow the reaction. However, Nuclear power plants are the most technologically advanced power plants in the history of man-kind. The meltdowns themselves are incredibly rare, but if they do occur the immediate areas are instantly alerted and evacuated. The contamination of the surrounding area is typically not very quick to begin with, as the walls of structures of Nuclear Power Plants are very thick and designed to withstand nearly anything thrown at them. Of anything that could happen, a meltdown at your area Nuclear Power Plant should be at the very bottom on your list of concerns.


Is neutron particle is required both to start and as a product in a fissin reaction?

Neutrons are required to start a fission reaction as they can initiate the splitting of uranium or plutonium atoms. In the process, additional neutrons are released which can go on to trigger more fission events. So, while neutrons are necessary to begin a fission reaction, they are not typically produced as a product of the reaction.


How can the rate of reaction be slowed down in a nuclear fission reactor?

By inserting the control rods which absorb neutrons using boron, cadmium, or other material with a large neutron capture crosssection. If the reactor should begin to run out of control the SCRAM system will suddenly insert large amounts of neutron absorbing material, instantly stopping the neutron chain reaction.


What is the critical temperature at which nuclear reactions begin?

For nuclear fission reactors there is no critical temperature, though they do have a temperature coefficient which makes the efficiency of the chain reaction vary slightly with temperature. This can be negative or positive, obvously a negative coefficient is preferred and is safer. Nuclear fusion is another matter, and very high temperatures are required in tokamaks to get fusion started


How is particle movement related to thermal energy?

Particle movement is directly related to thermal energy. As thermal energy increases, particles gain kinetic energy and begin to move faster and more erratically. This increased movement contributes to the overall temperature of a system and can lead to changes in state, such as melting or boiling.

Related Questions

What particle is needed to begin nuclear chain reaction?

Neutron particle is needed to begin nuclear chain reaction.


What is needed to begin a chemical reaction?

The most important: to have the reactants !


What are the names of the particles involve in a nuclear reaction?

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.


What is the past particle of Begin?

"Begun" is the past participle of "begin."


Why is it necessary for a collision between atomic particles to occur so a nuclear reaction may begin?

A collision between atomic particles is necessary to overcome the repulsion between their positively charged nuclei. When particles collide with enough energy, they can come close enough for the strong nuclear force to overcome the electrostatic repulsion, triggering a nuclear reaction. Without a collision, the forces involved are not strong enough to induce a reaction.


How do you stop or slow the nuclear reaction in a nuclear power plant?

Once a meltdown occurs at a nuclear power plant, there is no way to stop or slow the reaction. However, Nuclear power plants are the most technologically advanced power plants in the history of man-kind. The meltdowns themselves are incredibly rare, but if they do occur the immediate areas are instantly alerted and evacuated. The contamination of the surrounding area is typically not very quick to begin with, as the walls of structures of Nuclear Power Plants are very thick and designed to withstand nearly anything thrown at them. Of anything that could happen, a meltdown at your area Nuclear Power Plant should be at the very bottom on your list of concerns.


What describes the energy of activation?

Activation energy is the least amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction. It is used to activate atoms or molecules in order for them to begin a chemical reaction.


How do catalyst affect the energy of reaction?

Catalysts greatly reduce the amount of activation energy needed to begin a reaction.


What caused the nuclear reactor to begin to melt down in japan?

the cause of the melt down of the reactors in japan is the water that is needed to cool down the reactors


When did the nuclear age begin?

1945


How do reactions begin?

one particle has to travel rely fast


Is neutron particle is required both to start and as a product in a fissin reaction?

Neutrons are required to start a fission reaction as they can initiate the splitting of uranium or plutonium atoms. In the process, additional neutrons are released which can go on to trigger more fission events. So, while neutrons are necessary to begin a fission reaction, they are not typically produced as a product of the reaction.