1. Nuclear Fission
The nuclear fission of a fissile isotope, such as 235U, is the basic mechanism for releasing energy that can be converted into electricity. The ability to initiate and control a chain reaction ensures the continuous production of large quantities of electricity.
1.1 Cross-section
When discussing nuclear reactions, it is necessary to introduce the concept of cross-section. This quantity is measured in barns (1 barn = 10,–,24,cm2). Although it has the dimension of an area, it represents the probability that two particles or nuclei will interact. To understand this, simply imagine a target at which arrows are shot from a given distance. The larger the target’s surface area, the higher the probability of hitting it. This is what the concept of cross-section...
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Nuclear Fission
Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs)
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