Question

Explain the nuclear chain reaction.

Answer 1

1. Nuclear chain reactions are the processes in which one or more nuclides are produced from the collisions between two atomic nuclei or one atomic nucleus.
2. The nuclides so produced from the nuclear reactions are different in atomic mass from the reacting nuclei (commonly referred to as the parent nuclei).
3. Two notable types of nuclear reactions are nuclear fission reactions and nuclear fusion reactions.
4. Nuclear fission involves the absorption of neutrons (or other relatively light particles) by a heavy nucleus, which causes it to split into two (or more) lighter nuclei.
5. Nuclear fusion reactions are the processes in which two relatively light nuclei combine (via a collision) to afford a single, heavier nucleus.