Asked by kelvin calin
Once started, why can nuclear fission continue to occur on its own?
The thermal energy released can cause the products to join.
The neutron formed by the reaction can cause more nuclei to combine.
The thermal energy released can cause the products to split.
A neutron begins the reaction, and more neutrons are formed in it
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
"A neutron begins the reaction, and more neutrons are formed in it."
Explanation: each fission event of a heavy nucleus (e.g., U-235) releases several neutrons. Those neutrons can strike other fissile nuclei and induce further fissions, releasing yet more neutrons — a self-sustaining chain reaction (provided there are enough fissile atoms, the right geometry/moderation, and loss mechanisms are limited). Thermal energy is a product but not the primary mechanism that propagates the chain.
Explanation: each fission event of a heavy nucleus (e.g., U-235) releases several neutrons. Those neutrons can strike other fissile nuclei and induce further fissions, releasing yet more neutrons — a self-sustaining chain reaction (provided there are enough fissile atoms, the right geometry/moderation, and loss mechanisms are limited). Thermal energy is a product but not the primary mechanism that propagates the chain.
Submit Your Answer
We prioritize human answers over AI answers.
If you are human, and you can answer this question, please submit your answer.