Difference between revisions of "Nuclear fission"

From Conservapedia
Jump to: navigation, search
m (corrected typos)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
'''Nuclear fission''' is the process by which a large [[nucleus]] is split into two smaller nuclei.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000</ref>
 
'''Nuclear fission''' is the process by which a large [[nucleus]] is split into two smaller nuclei.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000</ref>
  
The fission of a nucleus releases an enormous amount of [[energy]], which can be harnessed in a [[nuclear reactor]] to generate electrical power. Nuclear fission can also be used in a destructive fashion, such as in a [[nuclear weapon]].  Fission also releases [[neutron]]s which can then impact and cause other nuclei to split, causing a chain reaction.  The two most common fissile elemnts used in nuclear power applications and weapons applications are [[uranium]] 235 and [[plutonium]] 239.
+
The fission of a nucleus of sufficient mass releases an enormous amount of [[energy]], which can be harnessed in a [[nuclear reactor]] to generate electrical power. Nuclear fission can also be used in a destructive fashion, such as in a [[nuclear weapon]].  Fission also releases [[neutron]]s which can then impact and cause other nuclei to split, causing a chain reaction.  The two most common fissile elements used in nuclear power applications and weapons applications are [[uranium]] 235 and [[plutonium]] 239.
  
A [[critical mass]] of the right [[radioactive]] material is required to begin this chain reaction.  Once a critical mass of the proper radioactive material of good enough purity is achieved, the chain reaction begins.
+
A [[critical mass]] of the right [[radioactive]] material is required to begin this chain reaction.  This is because if the mass undergoing fission is not sufficiently large, it's high surface area to mass ratio allows a large percentage of the neutrons required to sustain the chain reaction to escape. Once a critical mass of the proper radioactive material of good enough purity is achieved, the chain reaction begins.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 04:35, November 18, 2011

Nuclear fission is the process by which a large nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei.[1]

The fission of a nucleus of sufficient mass releases an enormous amount of energy, which can be harnessed in a nuclear reactor to generate electrical power. Nuclear fission can also be used in a destructive fashion, such as in a nuclear weapon. Fission also releases neutrons which can then impact and cause other nuclei to split, causing a chain reaction. The two most common fissile elements used in nuclear power applications and weapons applications are uranium 235 and plutonium 239.

A critical mass of the right radioactive material is required to begin this chain reaction. This is because if the mass undergoing fission is not sufficiently large, it's high surface area to mass ratio allows a large percentage of the neutrons required to sustain the chain reaction to escape. Once a critical mass of the proper radioactive material of good enough purity is achieved, the chain reaction begins.

References

  1. Wile, Dr. Jay L. Exploring Creation With Physical Science. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000