Nuclear Fission Simulation: http://tinyurl.com/255oytg 1. What happens when the

Question

Nuclear Fission Simulation: http://tinyurl.com/255oytg

1. What happens when the U-235 nucleus is “hit†with a neutron? There are a number of things that happen here, describe all of them in as much detail as you can. Use the pause button when needed.

2. Using the graph at the bottom of the screen, describe what happens to the energy of the nucleus when it is hit.

Select the “Chain Reaction†tab at the top. Experiment with changing the settings and shooting the neutron gun and watch what happens. Then answer the questions below.

3. Click the ‘Reset All’ button and then set the initial number of U-235 nuclei to 100 and U-238 to 0. Describe what happens when you fire the neutron gun?

4. Explain what makes this a “chain reactionâ€.

Explanation / Answer

When uranium-238 is bombarded with a neutron, it first becomesuranium-239. It immediately undergoes beta decay twice, firstbecoming neptunium-239 and then plutonium-239.

Striking a uranium-235 nucleus causes a fission chain reaction.

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