2007-03-13 04:43:02 · 7 answers · asked by Orlando J 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Several reasons-:
1) Most Uranium found in mines (around 99%) is Uranium-238, and only Uranium-235 is fissionable.
2) You need free neutrons to split the uranium atom and there won't be many free neutrons floating about down there.
Free Neutrons have a 1/2 life of around 13 minutes before they decay.
3) Uranium needs to be 'enriched' before it is used in a reactor and the uranium harvested from the mine hasn't yet been extracted from the ore or enriched.
Some natural fission does occur in some mines, but they are very very very very rare !!! It's much easier to do in a controlled environment
2007-03-13 05:03:19 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Q 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
to have a sequence reaction you first want organic uranium and uranium ore isn't organic steel, it has different impurities. Impurities will suppress the nuclear fission reaction. the 2nd reason is that in the time of uranium ore you will locate often uranium 238 and that may not spontaneously produce nuclear fission. the third reason is that for prompt nuclear reaction, you want a undeniable quantity of steel called serious mass. for organic ore (ninety 9% uranium 238 and much less that a million% uranium 235 - this is the fairly isotope which could produce nuclear fission) this is easily over a ton and as the ore itself isn't organic, this is impossible to realize serious mass interior the mine so ... this is risk-free. you will not have a nuclear blast of course happening in a uranium mine
2016-12-19 04:31:45 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The density of fissionable uranium is not high enough. Basically more neutrons are absorbed than are produced so any chain reaction dies.
2007-03-13 04:47:16 · answer #3 · answered by rscanner 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, natural fission has certainly occurred.
Fifteen natural fission reactors have been found in three different ore deposits at the Oklo mine in Gabon, West Africa. These are collectively known as the Oklo Fossil Reactors.
See below. It is fascinating.
2007-03-13 05:02:22 · answer #4 · answered by gebobs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It definitely would, if a big enough lump (bigger than critical mass required for sustained fission) of uranium exists in any mine.
2007-03-13 05:05:44 · answer #5 · answered by ramshi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The level of intensity is not the same as in a high temperature controlled reaction.
2007-03-13 04:55:35 · answer #6 · answered by Kerry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it's not a contained and controlled reaction.
2007-03-13 04:46:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋