In power plants, how does this happen?
2007-07-05 05:51:01 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
You start off with something that is already fissioning like Plutonium. The neutrons given off in the fission process must then be "moderated". Heavy water or graphite is good for slowing down the neutrons. Then when the neutrons hit a plutonium nucleus this will in turn undergo fission. This is the chain reaction that we want to achieve.
If it gets too fast it turns into a bomb like Chernobyl.
2007-07-05 05:55:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reactor core is loaded with fissionable Uranium enriched to ~ 5 weight percent U-235. Control rods are then withdrawn allowing source neutrons from previously burned fuel to impact the U-235 and cause it to fission. This releases more neutrons to continue the chain reaction.
2007-07-05 12:59:13 · answer #2 · answered by lunatic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
blast the uranium with neutrons. When fission happens, it produces three neutrons which in turn can set of three fissions, then 9 then 27 etc etc . That's why carbon rods (the control rods) capture about two out of three neutrons, so the reaction remains constant. If you don't capture the neutrons, Tsjernobil.
2007-07-05 12:56:48 · answer #3 · answered by Michiel C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A critical mass of fissile material is compacted to small volumes and surrounded by a moderator to slow down neutrons.
Controller rods stand by to prevent it from achieving supercriticality.
2007-07-05 12:54:08 · answer #4 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋