Difference between revisions of "Critical mass"
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(Critical mass doesn't necessarily cause an exlosion.) |
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| − | '''Critical mass''' refers to the mass of a | + | '''Critical mass''' refers to the mass of a fissile [[isotopes|isotope]] necessary to cause a sustainable [[nuclear fission]] reaction.<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000</ref> At the critical mass, the rate of production of [[neutron]]s by fission equals the rate at which they are absorbed. The critical mass of an isotope depends on a variety of factors such as its temperature, [[density]] and its shape. |
| + | If critical mass is reached, then the nuclear reaction could run away resulting in a large amount of energy being released and possibly a nuclear explosion. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 16:21, August 11, 2017
Critical mass refers to the mass of a fissile isotope necessary to cause a sustainable nuclear fission reaction.[1] At the critical mass, the rate of production of neutrons by fission equals the rate at which they are absorbed. The critical mass of an isotope depends on a variety of factors such as its temperature, density and its shape. If critical mass is reached, then the nuclear reaction could run away resulting in a large amount of energy being released and possibly a nuclear explosion.
References
- ↑ Wile, Dr. Jay L. Exploring Creation With Physical Science. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000