Nuclear fission is the name given to the process
whereby large nuclei break up into smaller ones. In the process
energy is released. Fission is the process used in nuclear power
stations and many atom bombs. A typical reaction involves bombarding
a
nucleus
with neutrons, which may cause the nucleus to fragment. A possible
reaction is shown below.
nucleus
with neutrons, which may cause the nucleus to fragment. A possible
reaction is shown below.
Three more neutrons are produced in this reaction, each
of which can cause another fission reaction. A chain reaction is
possible, resulting in the production of massive amounts of energy
very quickly.
This is what happens in an atom bomb. Onlyof
the Uranium isotopes reacts in this way. In nature, only about 0.7%
of Uranium is of this isotope, so Uranium is enriched to increase the
proportion of
The bomb, essentially several uranium fragments, is ignited by
bringing these fragments together. This increases the probability of
a neutron causing a further decay, so causing a chain reaction.
of
the Uranium isotopes reacts in this way. In nature, only about 0.7%
of Uranium is of this isotope, so Uranium is enriched to increase the
proportion of
The bomb, essentially several uranium fragments, is ignited by
bringing these fragments together. This increases the probability of
a neutron causing a further decay, so causing a chain reaction.
A similar chain reaction in a nuclear power station is
possible but prevented by controlling the rate at which free neutrons
can cause further fission reactions with 'control' rods. These absorb
stray neutrons.
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