PHYS 11 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Polymerase Chain Reaction, Nuclear Fission, Plutonium
Document Summary
The number of growth is given by the number n in the exponent. With each step we multiply original by some constant. Exponentials rises faster than any power law. Moore"s law: the growth in the number of transistors on a cpu. Fission chain reaction n + 235u 2 large fission fragments + 2n + energy. General fission equation for 235u n + 235u 2 fission fragments + 2n + energy. 1 > neutron per fission hits another nucleus. 1 > neutron per fission cause another fission. Critical mass = minimum mass to sustain a chain reaction. Number of neutrons on average per fission. As temperature increased the nuclei are moving faster, this decreases the probability that they absorb n and the critical mass increases. 235 u critical mass is 200 kg, in a sphere 13. 5 cm radius. With a tamper, 235u critical mass are reduced to 15 kg of 235u.
