What is nuclear fission?

Why can fission of a heavy nucleus release energy?

One fission releases about \(200\,\mathrm{MeV}\). Convert this to joules.

A reactor produces \(1.0\,\mathrm{GW}\) of power. Estimate the number of fissions per second if each fission releases \(3.2\times10^{-11}\,\mathrm J\).

Define neutron multiplication factor \(k\).

If \(k=0.90\), what happens to the neutron population over generations?

If \(k=1.02\), by what factor does the neutron population change after \(50\) generations?

What is the role of delayed neutrons in a controlled reactor?

What is the role of control rods in a fission reactor?

What is the role of a moderator in many thermal reactors?

A fission reaction emits \(2.5\) neutrons on average, but only \(1.0\) neutron per fission causes another fission. What is \(k\)?

Why does a small sample of fissile material tend to be subcritical?

Explain why fission fragments carry much of the fission energy as kinetic energy.

A fission process has initial rest mass \(236.0526\,\mathrm u\) and final rest mass \(235.8370\,\mathrm u\). Find \(Q\).

Estimate the mass converted to energy per fission if \(E_f=200\,\mathrm{MeV}\).

A \(1.0\,\mathrm{GW}\) reactor runs for one day. Estimate total thermal energy produced.

Using \(200\,\mathrm{MeV}\) per fission, estimate how many fissions are needed for \(8.64\times10^{13}\,\mathrm J\).

Explain why prompt criticality is dangerous in a reactor.

Why does fission of nuclei much lighter than iron generally not release energy?

Prove that a steady critical reactor has constant neutron population in the generation model.