Science & Technology

Nuclear Reaction

By Prahallad Kumar
 Nuclear Reaction

❖ Nuclear reaction is a reaction in which

the nucleus of an atom is changed by
its fission or by joining (by fusion) with
the nucleus of another atom.
 Types
❖ Nuclear fission
❖ Nuclear fusion
1. Nuclear fission

❖ Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which a heavy (large)

nucleus splits into lighter (smaller) nuclei and a huge amount of
energy is released.

❖ Generally
in this process suitable particles are bombarded on
heavy nuclei.
Energy
fissile material
❖ The substances in which fission reaction is possible are called
fissionable substances.

❖ Difference between fissionable and fissile material

A nuclide capable of undergoing fission (even with a low probability)
after capturing a neutron of high or low energy is referred to as
fissionable.
A fissionable nuclide that can be induced to fission with low-energy
thermal neutrons with a high probability is referred to as fissile.
Fissionable materials include also those (such as uranium-238) for
which fission can be induced only by high-energy neutrons. As a
result, fissile materials (such as uranium-235) are a subset of
fissionable materials.
chain reaction
❖ When neutrons are bombarded with fissile material, that nucleus
destabilizes and breaks into two smaller nuclei.
❖ At the end of the reaction some free neutrons are present which
again starts the fission reaction and chain reaction is started as
well as huge amount of energy is released.
There are two types of chain reaction

(A) Uncontrolled :-
When the number of free neutrons is not controlled

It is used to make bombs

(B) Controlled
When the number of free neutrons is controlled

Use
in electricity / energy generation
❖ The six-factor formula effective neutron multiplication factor, k,
is the average number of neutrons from one fission that cause
another fission. The remaining neutrons either are absorbed in
non-fission reactions or leave the system without being
absorbed. The value of k determines how a nuclear chain
reaction proceeds
(i) Super Critical :- If k is greater than 1, the chain reaction is
supercritical, and the neutron population will grow exponentially.
(ii) Sub Critical :- If k is less than 1, the chain reaction is subcritical,
and the neutron population will exponentially decay.
(iii) Critical :-If k = 1, the chain reaction is critical and the neutron
population will remain constant
2. Nuclear Fusion :-
❖ Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which smaller/lighter nuclei
combine to form a heavier nucleus.

❖ emits a large amount of energy

❖ To fuse in sun, nuclei need to collide with each other at
extremely high temperatures, around ten million degrees
Celsius
❖ The source of energy of all stars is nuclear fusion reaction.

❖ It is not possible to control this reaction

❖ It is used to make hydrogen bomb
 Difference between nuclear fissin and fusion
Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion
(i) It occurs in heavy nuclei (i) It is endowed by small nuclei

(ii) heavy nucleus breaks up (ii) smaller nuclei combine to

into lighter/smaller nuclei form larger nuclei
 Difference between nuclear fissin and fusion
Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion
(iii) It has not been possible to
(iii) it is possible to control
control it yet

(iv) possible at normal

(iv) possible at very high
temperature
temperature (106K)
 Difference between nuclear fissin and fusion
Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion

(v) Uses :- (v) Use - in hydrogen bomb

atom bomb
in electricity generation