Nuclear Chain Reaction

A nuclear chain reaction occurs when one nuclear reaction causes an average of one or more nuclear reactions, thus leading to a self-propagating series of these reactions. The specific nuclear reaction may be the fission of heavy isotopes (e.g. 235U) or the fusion of light isotopes (e.g. 2H and 3H). The nuclear chain reaction releases several million times more energy per reaction than any chemical reaction.

Read more about Nuclear Chain Reaction:  History, Fission Chain Reaction, Nuclear Weapons Application of Neutron Multiplication, Nuclear Power Plants and Control of Chain Reactions

Famous quotes containing the words nuclear, chain and/or reaction:

    The emotional security and political stability in this country entitle us to be a nuclear power.
    Ronald, Sir Mason (b. 1930)

    It could not have come down to us so far,
    Through the interstices of things ajar
    On the long bead chain of repeated birth,
    To be a bird while we are men on earth,
    Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    More and more, when faced with the world of men, the only reaction is one of individualism. Man alone is an end unto himself. Everything one tries to do for the common good ends in failure.
    Albert Camus (1913–1960)