Nuclear Fission

Strontium-90 and cesium-137 and a whole lot more.

Nuclear fission involves splitting heavy atoms, like uranium, which releases energy. This process is easier to initiate because it requires less extreme conditions, such as lower temperatures and pressures, compared to nuclear fusion. Fusion involves merging light atoms, like hydrogen isotopes, which requires much higher temperatures and pressures to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between the positively charged nuclei.

A nuclear fission power plant does this, there are 104 operating in the US. These are all light water moderated ones, PWR or BWR. These are the most used types in the world, but there are also heavy water reactors (Candu) and AGR gas cooled reactors.

Fissionable uranium needs to have a significant ratio of U-235 vs U-238. This is because U-235 is less stable and will react more easily. In other words, more U-235 means a fast reaction, meaning more energy is liberated.

In the liquid drop model, excitation energy in a nucleus gives rides to modes of motion or oscillations. On a potential energy surface, the saddle point corresponds to the critical deformation of unstable equilibrium in the nucleus.

Nuclear fission is a physical change because it involves the splitting of atomic nuclei to release energy, without altering the chemical composition of the atoms involved. In contrast, chemical changes involve the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances with different chemical properties.

Nuclear energy is not a chemical process, but you can represent the elements involved by their chemical symbols. Different isotopes of the same element are distinguished by prefixes showing the nucleus make up of protons and neutrons. The particles involved have their own symbols such as p for proton, also various greek alphabet symbols like alpha, beta.

It's the process that takes place in the cores of stars, creating heavier elements

out of lighter ones, and liberating nuclear energy that leaves the stars in the form

of electromagnetic radiation.

To split a uranium nucleus in nuclear fission, you typically use a neutron to initiate the reaction. When a neutron collides with a uranium nucleus, it can cause the nucleus to split into two smaller nuclei, along with releasing additional neutrons and a large amount of energy.

The raw material for nuclear fission is typically a heavy radioactive element, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239. These materials are bombarded by neutrons to induce a fission reaction, releasing energy in the form of heat and additional neutrons.

Nuclear fission takes place around the world because it is used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity. The splitting of atoms in fission reactions releases energy in the form of heat, which is used to produce electricity through steam turbines. This method provides a reliable and low-carbon source of power for many countries.

Hydrogen is used in nuclear fission as a moderator to slow down neutrons produced during the fission process, making them more likely to interact with other fissile nuclei to sustain the chain reaction. Water containing hydrogen atoms, such as heavy water (deuterium oxide) or light water (H2O), is commonly used as a moderator in nuclear reactors.

Heat is produced by the recoil (kinetic energy) of the fission fragments, when they are stopped in the fuel material

In general, nuclear fission is the splitting of a single atomic nucleus. One atom with an unstable nucleus splits, either spontantously or perhaps because it has absorbed a neutron. Fission is a physics term applied to the action of the splitting of an atom, not the splitting or "separating" of two atoms.

Spontaneous nuclear fission processes occur when the nucleus of an atom undergoes a process where it splits into two or more smaller nuclei. This process releases a large amount of energy along with neutrons and is typically associated with heavy isotopes like uranium or plutonium. The fission process is initiated by the absorption of a neutron by the nucleus, leading to instability and eventual splitting.

Carbon dioxide is not a product of the fission of uranium. When uranium undergoes fission, it typically produces two or more fission fragments, such as krypton and barium isotopes, along with neutrons and a large amount of heat.

This describes a star, which forms when a sphere of gas collapses under its own gravity. As the star's core undergoes nuclear fusion, it produces energy that counteracts the force of gravity wanting to collapse the star further. This delicate balance between gravity and radiation pressure keeps the star stable and shining.

Yes, with a rather unimportant qualification. There are isotopes of uranium that do not undergo fission, but it is unlikely a bar would be made from any of them because they have short half lives and are expensive to produce.

One major unsolved problem in using nuclear fission is the safe disposal of radioactive waste. Finding a long-term storage solution that prevents contamination of the environment is a challenge that still needs to be fully addressed. Additionally, ensuring the security of nuclear facilities to prevent accidents or malicious activities remains a concern.

Nuclear fission occurs in the reactor core of a nuclear reactor. This is where nuclear fuel, typically uranium, is arranged in such a way that it sustains a chain reaction of splitting atoms, releasing energy in the process.

Uranium is a chemical element with three natural isotopes (234, 235, 238). The natural uranium has cca. 0,72 % uranium-235; uranium with a concentration of uranium-235 under 0,72 % is called depleted uranium; uranium with a concentration of uranium -235 above 0,72 % is called enriched uranium. Uranium in nuclear power and research reactors is used as metal, aloys, uranium dioxide, uranium carbides, uranium silicides, etc.

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Yes, they are quite different. The deuterium-tritium reaction produces a helium nucleus, which is harmless. There will be an intense neutron bombardment of the enclosure holding the fusion plasma, and this will result in the structure becoming radioactive, but that will be a problem for decommissioning rather than operation.

Scientists originally promised fusion as a clean source of energy, and whilst it is not entirely so, it is far cleaner than fission. The only problem is finding how to make it work in a practical power producing plant.

Yes, the chain reaction of nuclear fission can be controlled by using control rods made of materials like boron or cadmium that absorb neutrons, thus regulating the rate of fission. Additionally, cooling systems can also be used to control the temperature and prevent the reactor from overheating.