fission articles
What process releases the energy derived from the fundamental rearrangement of matter in nuclear applications?
What is the incredibly powerful, attractive force counteracting electrical repulsion to keep protons and neutrons tightly packed in the nucleus?
Which element is noted for having the most stable nuclei and the highest binding energy per nucleon?
How is nuclear fission typically initiated in fissile isotopes like Uranium-235?
What is released during the splitting of an unstable U-236 nucleus, in addition to the two smaller fission products?
When comparing the binding energy of the initial heavy nucleus to the resulting fragments, where does the substantial energy liberated during fission come from?
What term describes the small but measurable difference where the total mass of the resulting fission products is less than the initial reactants?
What multiplication factor ($k$) defines a nuclear reaction that is stable and self-sustaining at a constant rate for steady power generation?
What is the primary function of control rods, often composed of materials like Boron or Cadmium, in a nuclear reactor core?
What is the necessary role of a moderator material, such as purified light water or graphite, in sustaining a chain reaction?