Politics of Oil and Nuclear Technology in Iran by Akbar E. Torbat

Author:Akbar E. Torbat
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030337667
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear energy is generated from nuclear fission. The process of splitting a massive nucleus into less-massive fragments is referred to as nuclear fission. Nuclear fission happens when a massive nucleolus splits into two or more less-massive nuclei. As is shown in Fig. 7.3, for instance a uranium 235 after absorbing a moving neutron is converted to the unstable compound uranium 236 nucleus and splits into two lighter barium and krypton nuclei which in turn releases several neutrons that burst the nucleus into fragments.79 That process generates enormous energy mostly in the form of kinetic energy, which is carried off by the fragments. Because each uranium nucleus fission occurrence releases neutrons, a series of self-generating fissions will occur. Each newly released neutron can initiate another fission event, followed by more of the same, which exponentially increases the number of fissions. This process of releasing neutrons that produces a series of more nuclear fissions is called a chain reaction. Because the number of nuclear fissions increases a thousand fold within a few millionths of a second, it results in an uncontrolled chain reaction capable of producing an incredible amount of energy in a very short time, which is what happens in a nuclear bomb. However, it is possible to limit the number of the neutrons released to only one at a time; in such a method, the chain reaction and the rate that produces energy is controlled. The process of controlled chain reaction is the principle behind manufacturing reactors for producing electricity.

Fig. 7.3Nuclear fission. (Source: Author)

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