Chain reaction

Chain reaction

A reaction that initiates its own repetition. In a fission chain reaction, a fissionable nucleus absorbs a neutron and fissions spontaneously, releasing additional neutrons. These, in turn, can be absorbed by other fissionable nuclei, releasing still more neutrons. A fission chain reaction is self-sustaining when the number of neutrons released in a given time equals or exceeds the number of neutrons lost by absorption in nonfissionable material or by escape from the system.

This is auto-generated content. You can help to improve it.

0 0

Improve it

Add an image

Part of Speech: noun
Synonym(s):
Blossary:
Industry/Domain: Energy
Category: Nuclear energy
Company: U.S. NRC
Product:
Acronym-Abbreviation:

Collect to Blossary

Other Languages:

Related terms

chain reaction

Energy; Nuclear energy

A reaction that initiates its own repetition. In a fission chain reaction, a fissionable nucleus absorbs a neutron and fissions spontaneously, releasing additional neutrons. ...

chain reaction

Energy; Nuclear energy

A reaction that initiates its own repetition. In a fission chain reaction, a fissionable nucleus absorbs a neutron and fissions spontaneously, releasing additional neutrons. ...

chain reaction

Medical devices; Radiology equipment

A process that initiates its own repetition. In a fission chain reaction, a fissile nucleus absorbs a neutron and fissions (splits) spontaneously, releasing additional neutrons. ...

chain reaction

Physics; Nuclear & particle physics

A kind of nuclear fission in which neutrons that are released by the splitting of the nucleus of one atom strike the nuclei of other atoms.

chain reaction

Engineering; Electronic engineering

A reaction (as in nuclear fission) that is self-sustaining or self-repeating. Unless controlled from outside, such a reaction runs to destruction.

chain reaction

Environment; Environmental policy

A reaction that proceeds in a series of steps with each step being made possible by the preceding one.

alpha particle

Energy; Nuclear energy

A positively charged particle ejected spontaneously from the nuclei of some radioactive elements. It is identical to a helium nucleus that has a mass number of 4 and an ...

attenuation

Energy; Nuclear energy

The process by which the number of particles or photons entering a body of matter is reduced by absorption and scattered radiation.

binding energy

Energy; Nuclear energy

The minimum energy required to separate the nucleus of an atom into its component neutrons and protons.

condenser

Energy; Nuclear energy

A large heat exchanger designed to cool exhaust steam from a turbine below the boiling point so that it can be returned to the heat source as water. In a pressurized-water ...

annual limit on intake (ALI)

Energy; Nuclear energy

As defined in Title 10, Section 20.1003, of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 20.1003), ALI is the derived limit for the amount of radioactive material taken into the body ...

atomic energy

Energy; Nuclear energy

The energy that is released through a nuclear reaction or radioactive decay process. Of particular interest is the process known as fission, which occurs in a nuclear reactor and ...