A seed nucleus is an isotope that is the starting point for any of a variety of fusion chain reactions. The mix of nuclei produced at the conclusion of the chain reaction generally depends strongly on the relative availability of the seed nucleus or nuclei and the component being fused--whether neutrons as in the r-process and s-process or protons as in the rp-process. A smaller proportion of seed nuclei will generally result in products of larger mass, whereas a larger seed-to-neutron or seed-to-proton ratio will tend to produce comparatively lighter masses.
Famous quotes containing the words seed and/or nucleus:
“I declare
Two lineages electrify the air,
That will like pennons from a mast
Fly over sleep and life and death
Till sun is powerless to decoy
A single seed above the earth:
Lineage of sorrow: lineage of joy....”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)
“I could not undertake to form a nucleus of an institution for the development of infant minds, where none already existed. It would be too cruel.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)