Problem 3RQ
What is meant by the idea of a critical mass?
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ANSWER: To sustain a nuclear chain reaction there is a limit for the smallest amount of fissile material which is called the critical mass. It depends on nuclear properties, the scattering cross section and the surroundings. When there is no change in power, energy and neutron population in a nuclear reaction then the reaction becomes self sustaining. When the effective neutron multiplication factor is equals to 1, the mass is critical and the reaction cannot be self sustaining. Where the effective neutron multiplication factor is the average number of neutrons released per fission event that goes on to cause another fission event, rather than being absorved by the material.
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Chapter 34, Problem 3RQ is Solved
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