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
Correct answer: "A neutron begins the reaction, and more neutrons are formed in it."
Brief explanation: each fission of a heavy nucleus (e.g. U-235) emits on average 2–3 free neutrons. Those neutrons can strike other fissile nuclei and induce further fissions, releasing more neutrons — a self-sustaining chain reaction if enough fissile material (critical mass) and the right geometry/conditions are present. The other options describe joining/thermal effects, which are not the mechanism that sustains fission.
Brief explanation: each fission of a heavy nucleus (e.g. U-235) emits on average 2–3 free neutrons. Those neutrons can strike other fissile nuclei and induce further fissions, releasing more neutrons — a self-sustaining chain reaction if enough fissile material (critical mass) and the right geometry/conditions are present. The other options describe joining/thermal effects, which are not the mechanism that sustains fission.
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