Which fact is true during a fission chain reaction?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The total number of protons will decrease over time.
The total number of protons will decrease over time.

The number of freely-moving neutrons decreases over time.
The number of freely-moving neutrons decreases over time.

The total number of protons will increase over time.
The total number of protons will increase over time.

The number of freely-moving neutrons increases over time.

Answer 1

In a fission chain reaction, the correct statement is:

The number of freely-moving neutrons decreases over time.

During fission, a heavy nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy and neutrons. While initially, the number of neutrons increases due to the fission events, as the reaction continues, some of those neutrons will be captured by other materials, leading to a decrease in freely-moving neutrons over time, especially as the reaction reaches a steady state or if it is controlled.