Question

When the neutrons produced in the fission of U-236 bombard U-235 to generate more U-236 and perpetuate fission, this is called a:

Select the correct answer below:

decay series

chain reaction

sequential fission

none of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

chain reaction

Explanation:

The description is termed a chain reaction.

During nuclear fission, a heavy radioactive isotope disintegrates rapidly into two lighter nuclei and several neutrons with the release of large amount of energy.

Each of the neutrons produced can now react with the new radionuclide to produce another new set of nuclide thereby releasing energy and several neutrons. This is called a chain reaction.

For the nuclide described above, we can express as:

                   ²³⁶₉₂U  → fission fragments(²³⁵₉₂U) + neutrons + energy

           fission with the neutrons:

                      ²³⁵₉₂U → ²³⁶₉₂U ..................................