Two main processes?
Nuclear fission
Nuclear fusion
What does fission mean?
Breaking up
What does nuclear fission do?
It releases energy
What are uranium isotopes?
Uranium -283 and -235 (both are radioactive)
What is nuclear fission?
Inside a nuclear reactor, the fissile U-235 nuclei can be broken up into large daughter nuclei if they are bombarded by slow-moving electrons
What can the two daughter nuclei be slowed down by?
A moderator to go on and form three further fission events
What is a chain reaction?
More free neutrons are produces, which themselves, in turn can produce the fission of other U-235 nuclei
How do you control fission?
1- Moderator
2- Control rods