1. (a) Determine the relative probability that fission reaction will occur in absorptionby 20% enriched uranium fuel of fast 10 keV neutrons, given that at thiskinetic energyof(235) = 2.8 b,oa(235) = 3.8 b,of(238) = 0,0a(238) = 0.75 b. (b) Explain why fast neutrons are unlikely to result in a fission chain reaction innatural Uranium. Discuss two possible solutions for obtaining chain reactionin Uranium fuel. (c) Briefly describe the relative merits of graphite, water and heavy water asmoderators.
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear fission is a type of nuclear reaction in which heavier nuclei split into lighter nuclei by releasing a large quantity of energy. The elements like uranium-235 and plutonium-239 isotope undergo nuclear fission releasing energy. When nuclei undergo fission, some quantity of mass is lost. The lost mass is converted to nuclear energy. Nuclear fission reaction is used in nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. In nuclear power plants, nuclear reactors are used to generate electricity.
Endothermic Nuclear Reaction
A nuclear reaction can be described as a process where two atoms, or two nuclei or nucleus and subatomic particles such as a proton, neutron interact together, and a large amount of energy is produced and new elements are also produced.
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