In nuclear and particle physics, the concept of a neutron cross section is used to express the likelihood of interaction between an incident neutron and a target nucleus. In conjunction with the neutron flux, it enables the calculation of the reaction rate, for example to derive the thermal power of a nuclear power plant. The standard unit for measuring the cross section is the barn, which is equal to 10−28 m2 or 10−24 cm2.
Read more about Neutron Cross Section: Parameters of Interest, Link To Reaction Rate and Interpretation, Continuous Versus Average Cross Section, Microscopic Versus Macroscopic Cross Section, Mean Free Path, Within Stars, Typical Cross Sections
Famous quotes containing the words cross and/or section:
“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.”
—Bible: New Testament, Matthew 27:42.
“The demonstrations are always early in the morning, at six o’clock. It’s wonderful, because I’m not doing anything at six anyway, so why not demonstrate?... When you’ve written to your president, to your congressman, to your senator and nothing, nothing has come of it, you take to the streets.”
—Erica Bouza, U.S. jewelry designer and social activist. As quoted in The Great Divide, book 2, section 7, by Studs Terkel (1988)