Nuclear Physics - Fission
Fission
Venda
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In essences Fission reactors are quite simple... l'sjust that ithe
worst should happen the cansequences are quite enormous
‘The damaged reactor at Chernobyl was encased
Nuclei with 89 or more proton are unstable and some spontaneously,
randomly split into smaller nuclei spontaneous fission.
Induced fission is when a slow moving neutron (so no need to overcome alarge
repulsion) enters the large nucleus, causing it be even more unstable and hence
undergo fission
Lots of energy is released because the smaller nuclei have a higher average
binding energy per nucleon.
‘Note thatthe fission itself produces3 neutrons These neutrons might cause
‘other fissions but they might be going too fast to be absorbed by other heavy
‘nuclei Slow neutrons are known as'thermal neutrons’
tis possible to control Fission and get ots of lovely energy.
“Fuel is rods of *U placed away from workers (even Homer)
‘*The neutrons produced by spontaneous fission can go onto cause other
fissions provided they are slowed down in a moderator like water.
‘This energy is reduced by elastic colisions- and the moleculesin the
moderator need to have amass close to that of the neutrons hence water
isa good choice
‘+The mass of #°U in the rodsisimportant Ifyou have less that the critical,
mass the fissions peter out Soin reactors they have a supercritical mass
jemore than the critical mass. This means a chain reaction is created.
‘Control rods, made of a good absorber of neutrons (eg Boron) control the
rate of fissions by absorbing neutrons~ so you can siow it down by moving
‘the rods down more between the fuel rods In an emergency the rods can
be full inserted to absorbed the neutrons
‘Coolant (also the moderator!) is circulated around and its heat is removed
inthe heat exchanger where different water creates steam > used to turn
‘turbines
‘Usually encased in a concrete shield.
The finished structure will weigh about 29,000 tons and stand 110m tall and 257m wide. It must be capable of withstanding temperatures
ranging from-43C to 45C and has a predicted ife span of 100 years At 110m (360) tal, the structure could house the Statue of Liberty, and at
257m (843!) wide, there would be room for afootbal pitch There are actes of metal panels in the roof, to seal off the reactor and the
dangerous mess inside. The whole lot will be held together by 680,000 heavy bolts
Tet
Images nipsy/en wikipedia org/wiki/Chernobyl_ New Safe Confinement