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Nuclear Fission
Nuclear fission is the phenomenon in which an atomic nucleus splits into lighter nuclei. This reaction can be spontaneous in some isotopes, but usually is the result of heavy nuclei absorbing a neutron. Because fission often results in the emission of multiple neutrons, this reaction can be self-sustaining, making such things like nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons possible.
488 Questions
How common is nuclear fission going to be in the future?
Nuclear fission is likely to remain a significant source of energy in the future due to its ability to generate large amounts of electricity with low carbon emissions. However, the rate of its adoption depends on factors such as concerns about safety, nuclear waste management, and competition from other energy sources such as renewables. Advances in technology and regulations could also influence its future prevalence.
When or how is a nuclear chain reaction caused by nuclear fission a problem to people?
It is not a problem if it is a controlled chain reaction and all safety measures are in place and used. The primary problem associated with nuclear energy relates to the handling and storage of radioactive waste. Of particular concern is spent or depleted fuel rods. Spent fuel rods are highly radioactive. It takes thousands of years for radioactivity levels of this material to decay to safe levels. Human exposure to such radioactive waste can cause serious health problems and even death. Therefore, radioactive waste, including fuel rods, must be stored in specialized containers. The storage must be secure to prevent theft and/or malicious tampering.
Which one of these two process is still used today Nuclear Fission or Fusion?
Fission. Fusion has never been used on Earth, except for nuclear weapon tests.
What products are given off during a typical nuclear fission reaction?
During a nuclear fission reaction, products such as two or more lighter nuclei, neutrons, gamma rays, and energy are given off. These products can vary depending on the specific isotopes involved in the reaction.
Why are the fragments of fission radioactive?
Fission fragments are radioactive because they contain unstable isotopes produced during the nuclear fission process. These isotopes undergo radioactive decay, emitting radiation in the form of alpha, beta, or gamma particles to achieve a more stable state.
What is the speed of nuclear fission?
In an atomic bomb the time between fission generations is about 10ns and the entire reaction is over in 1us to 3us.
In an atomic reactor the time between fission generations is about 10us because each neutron must collide about 1000 times with moderator atoms to slow down to "thermal" speeds.
Why must products of nuclear fission be stored safely?
Products of nuclear fission, such as radioactive isotopes, have long half-lives and can remain hazardous to human health and the environment for thousands of years. Therefore, they must be stored safely to prevent accidental exposure, leakage, and contamination of the surroundings. Proper storage is crucial to minimize the risk of radiation exposure and ensure the protection of both current and future generations.
When an atom splits it gives off what?
What species are given off when an atom "splits" depends on what causes the atom to split. There are four ways an atom can split: 1) Using a cyclotron or a syncrotron, some species traveling at very high velocity is collided into an atom. The atom may spit depending on the isotope of the atom used, the species it collides with and the velocity of the species. 2) Certain isotopes can capture a "slow" or "thermal" neutron after which the isotope will fission. 3) Certain isotopes are capable of splitting after being hit with a "fast" neutron. Slow neutrons must have a kinetic energy below a specific value, and fast neutrons must have a kinetic energy above a specific value. The kinetic energies required vary depending on the isotope capturing or being hit with a neutron. 4) There are a few isotopes that undergo spontaneous fission, meaning that they will fission without capturing or being hit with a neutron.
In case 1, if the atom splits, it and usually also the species with which it collides, disintegrates into at least two of the following species: isotopes with a smaller mass, subatomic particles and photons of electromagnetic radiation. For case 2, there are about nine or ten isotopes capable of capturing a slow neutron. These isotopes are named "fissile" isotopes, not to be confused with a "fissionable" isotope, which includes any isotope capable of undergoing nuclear fission regardless of the mechanism of the fission (not including fission caused in an atom smasher). Almost instantly after capturing a slow neutron, a fissile isotope becomes a new isotope of the same element, but with a nominal atomic mass of one AMU greater. The heavier isotope is unstable an immediately fissions into two lighter isotopes and releases at least one neutron plus ionizing radiation such as a gamma ray(s), beta particle(s) or an alpha particle(s). It is impossible to know what the two lighter isotopes are; one only knows the probability that the atom will split into two specific species. During the last approx. 70 years, socalled "fission curves" were emperically determined for the known fissionable isotopes. A fission curve is a graph that plots the mass of the fission products vs. the probability that a pair of specific lighter isotopes will be formed. In case 3, there are a handfull of isotopes that may split if they collide with a fast neutron traveling above a specific velocity. Each of these isotopes also has its own fission curve. Case 4 applies to the small number of isotopes that can split spontaneously, that is, without capturing or colliding with a neutron. Again, each of these isotopes have a specific fission curve.
It is important for someone who considers themselves a "Scientist" to know that only a very small fraction of all the isotopes are capable of "splitting," and, only if one of those isotopes disintegrates in a atomic accelerator, is the fissionable material in a "fast neutron" or a "fast flux" nuclear reactor, or is a constituent of a thermonuclear bomb. Lastly, a scientist should avoid using the word "split" when describing nuclear fission because that word implies that something hits an atom hard enough to cause it to break into pieces, and, in my opinion, causes most people to think that just about any atom will spit if it is hit hard enough by whatever. All 104 of the commerical nuclear power reactors in the USA, all the ones in Canada and in Europe, and probably in the rest of the world, operate by slow neutron capture by U-235 (and to a much lesser degree Pu-239) followed by nuclear fission. In other words, neutrons do not slam into U-235 or Pu-239 atoms breaking them into pieces.
All or virtually all commercial power reactors operate as follows: The nuclear fuel is a blend of uranium (238) oxide and uranium (235) oxide. Only about 0.7-2.5% of the uranium atoms are U-235, which is the primary isotope responsible for generating the heat that either causes the water in the reactor to boil or turns it into steam outside of the reactor vessel, depending on the design of the plant. A U-235 atom captures a neutron that has been slowed by normal water, heavy water (deuterium oxide, which is not radioactive) or graphite to form U-236. U-236 is an unstable isotope and breaks into two lighter isotopes, according to its fission curve, and releases an average of 2.4 neutrons. The entire process is incredibly fast, only taking a few nanoseconds to occur. Some of the neutrons from the U-235 fission go on to be captured by other U-235 atoms, however some of them must be captured to prevent a run-away chain reaction. Materials in the control rods are very efficient at capturing neutrons, and some plants add boron to the reactor water since boron is also efficient at capturing neutrons. Maintaining a nearly perfect balance that allows the right concentration of neutrons is necessary to keep the plant running.
Because of numerous automatic safety functions required in the USA, Canada and Europe, it is literally much more difficult to keep a plant running than to have an accident. If all of the nuclear operators just walked out of the control room, the plant would automatically shut down. The Three Mile Island accident was caused when improperly trained operators intentionally over-rode one or more automatic safety mechanisms. Even then, only a very small amount of tritium (H-3) was released from the plant, even though the reactor was ruined. Newer plants and all existing plants were designed or upgraded to prevent anyone from preventing or over-riding certain safety functions. The problem with Chernobyl was that the operators were performing some kind of unauthorized experiment that caused much of the water in the reactor to be lost. When they began to add water back into the reactor, the fuel was so hot that it caused the water to instantly turn to steam, and that caused a steam explosion that ruptured the reactor vessel. To make it worse, Chernobly was a graphite-moderated reactor, and without water and now with air able to enter the reactor, the graphite moderator ignited. None of the countries listed nor Japan has any graphite reactors.
What form of energy does nuclear fission release?
Nuclear binding energy is released mostly as heat energy.
Nuclear fission can be safe when managed properly with appropriate safety measures in place. However, accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima have shown that there are risks associated with nuclear fission. It is important for strict regulations, inspections, and maintenance to be in place to ensure safety.
Can nuclear fission use uranium as a fuel?
Yes, nuclear fission can use uranium as fuel. Uranium-235 is commonly used in nuclear reactors as it is easily fissionable. When a uranium atom absorbs a neutron, it can split into two smaller atoms, releasing a large amount of energy in the process.
Does nuclear fission give off heat?
Yes, nuclear fission produces heat as a byproduct. When an atom is split during fission, a large amount of energy is released in the form of heat. This heat can be harnessed to generate electricity in nuclear power plants.
What percent does uranium have to be enriched to be used in electric generation?
Uranium needs to be enriched to about 3-5% U-235 for use in commercial nuclear power reactors. This enrichment level allows for a sustainable nuclear reaction that can generate electricity efficiently.
What is the relationship between plasma and nuclear fission?
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Nuclear fission is a type of nuclear reaction in which the nucleus is?
Nuclear fission is a type of nuclear reaction in which the nucleus is split into two or more parts, releasing excess binding energy that is available due to the negative slope (for high mass nuclides) of the binding energy per nucleon curve. See the Related Link below for more information.
Why are neutrons considered ideal particles for nuclear fission?
Neutrons are ideal for nuclear fission because they carry no charge and easily penetrate atomic nuclei, making them efficient at inducing fission reactions. They can collide with heavy nuclei like uranium-235, causing them to split and release more neutrons, which can lead to a self-sustaining chain reaction.
Why nuclear fission take high temperature for a raection?
Not at all, the temperature of U-235 or Pu-239 which are used for nuclear energy production by fission, has no effect on the fission reaction, which is driven only by the capture cross-section for neutron capture. Slow neutrons are captured more strongly than fast ones, so it is an advantage for the moderator not to be at a high temperature.
Is there any other way for producing krypton and barium except for the nuclear fission?
Yes, krypton can also be produced through the fractional distillation of liquid air, where it is separated from other gases. Barium can be produced through a chemical reaction between barium oxide and aluminum, resulting in the formation of barium.
How is heat of Nuclear fission used?
Heat from nuclear fission is used to generate steam that drives turbines connected to generators, producing electricity. This process is utilized in nuclear power plants to provide a significant proportion of the world's electricity.
Is most of the energy released by nuclear fission is in the form of gamma rays?
No, most of the energy released by nuclear fission is in the form of kinetic energy of the fission products and neutrons. Gamma rays are also emitted during the process, but they typically make up a smaller proportion of the total energy released.
What are negative aspects of nuclear fission?
Negative aspects of nuclear fission include the generation of radioactive waste that requires long-term storage, the risk of accidents leading to releases of radioactive materials, and the potential for nuclear proliferation if the technology falls into the wrong hands. Additionally, the cost of building and maintaining nuclear power plants can be prohibitive.
Do you use nuclear fission to activate the atomic bomb?
Yes, nuclear fission is used in nuclear reactors. Nuclear fission is the splitting of heavy nuclei (as U-235) when bombarded by neutrons. The nuclear fission results in loss of mass (or mass defect) that transforms into energy according to formula E = mc2 (c is light velocity). The resulting energy manifests itself as heat energy that produces steam. The steam spins the turbines that spins electric generators and hence producing electricity.
What is a brief history of nuclear fission and fusion?
Nuclear fission was discovered in the 1930s and involves splitting heavy atomic nuclei to release energy. This process led to the development of nuclear weapons during World War II and later to the creation of nuclear power plants for energy production. Nuclear fusion, which involves combining light atomic nuclei, powers the sun and hydrogen bombs. Fusion research has been ongoing for decades to harness this process for energy production on Earth.
How many years is the useful life of a nuclear fission reactor?
The useful life of a nuclear fission reactor is typically around 40-60 years. However, this can vary depending on factors such as maintenance, upgrades, and regulatory approvals.
Fission by-products are the radioactive materials produced during the splitting of atomic nuclei in nuclear reactions. These by-products can vary but typically include isotopes of elements such as cesium, strontium, iodine, and xenon. Proper handling and disposal of fission by-products are essential to prevent environmental contamination and health risks.
