Chain Reactions
The key to release nuclear energy: a single reaction can trigger additional reactions (neutrons released during the fission of U, can start additional reactions)
a single reaction can cause a chain of events--> chain reaction
conditions for getting chain reaction:
- the produced neutrons should not
leave the material before triggering
a new reaction (critical mass)
- the neutrons should not be
captured by other atoms ( ex.
isotopes of U-235: U-238…)
- subcritical (less than one new n
- critical (one new n produces in
- supercritical (more than one n from
each reaction initiates another
reaction)--> nuclear bomb