POL SCI 125A Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Microsoft Powerpoint, Terrorist Threats, Nuclear Power
16 Mar 2013
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Atomic number is determined by number of protons. Isotopes elements with more neutrons than regular. Nuclear fission used to break atom up now without waiting by shooting. Nuclear breaks, energy is released with more neutrons. Science background o o o o neutron into nuclear o o o o o neutron will generate more neutrons. Uses fission of heavy elements like uranium or plutonium. Gun method or implosion creates a fast chain reaction. Shoot u 235 with a neutron to make it u 236, result is atom breaks apart. Critical mass enough fissionable material packed that will release a. Critical point depends on type of material and density. Little boy gun mechanism (uranium bullet shot into uranium target) Fat man implosion mechanism (neutron initiator and plutonium core with o o spherical shockwave that compresses) o o o. Much more energy given off by fusing light elements. Example: h3 and h2 fuse together to form he 4 and a neutron.
