physical science! nuclear fission and fusion and decay? i dont understand!?

Question

i have no science capabilities whatsoever!
here are the questions:

1-how does the strong nuclear force affect an atoms electrons?
2-why do fission chain reactions of uranium-235 not occur in underground uranium deposits?
3-does fermium-257 undergo nuclear decay?

thanks alot!

Answer 1

2) Fission chain reactions have occurred underground.

Ancient African Nuclear Reactors
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap021016.html

Natural Nuclear Reactors - Fact Sheet
http://www.ymp.gov/factsheets/doeymp0010.shtml

Answer 2

1- very little. the strong nuclear force works over very small distances, basically, the dimensions of the nucleus which are tiny compared to the "orbits" of the electrons.
2- chain reactions do not occur in uranium deposits because the uranium atoms are too far apart from each other. Typical U containing ore has ~ 1-2 ozs of U metal per ton so the U atoms are far apart, it is very unlikely that any decay particle will strike anouther U nucleus to cause another fission event and there is lots of material (other atoms) to slow down the radioactive particles before they reach another U atom.
3 - All atoms heavier than U undergo decay (at least all the elements we know of greater than 235)

i hope this helps

Answer 3

1) Electrons are too far away from the nucleus to be affected by the strong nuclear force

2) This has happened, as 'a bush family member' pointed out. Neutron capture can happen anywhere and certainly does not require a nuclear reactor. Neutron capture and fission can happen anywhere, but can only start a sustained chain reaction if there is enough other fissile material around.

3) yes, it is too big to be stable

Answer 4

Colloquially, the fact is right with the aid of fact the widespread public has equated fission bombs with the prefix, atomic. The atom bomb, so referred to as is the tip results of fission of atoms, the nuclear bomb, thermonuclear bomb, is the tip results of fusion.

Answer 5

it keeps electrons in orbit

because they are made by neutron radiation capture and that only occurs in a reactor

yes it is super heavy