When a heavy nucleus breaks into daughter nuclei thereby releasing energy , the process is called fission . A very important and interesting feature of neutron-induced fission reaction is the chain reaction. Nuclear fission is carried out by bombarding a slow moving neutron in nucleus of heavy element such as U-235 or thorium Th-232. As the fission of the heavy nucleus occurs, there is release of energy as well as 2 or 3 more neutrons. These neutrons trigger fission of neighbouring U-235 atoms producing more amount of energy as well as some more neutrons. This process goes on continuously until entire U-235 nuclei in the sample undergo fission. This is called nuclear chain reaction. If the chain reaction is not controlled, huge amount of energy is released within a short time say in microseconds hence there will be big, massive explosion. Such chain reaction is called uncontrolled chain reaction. Nuclear bomb is an example of uncontrolled chain reaction. If the reaction is, however controlled, then the energy released can be used for peaceful purposes such as electricity generation. A device used for electricity generation is nuclear reactor or also called nuclear pile.
While controlling the nuclear chain reaction a useful factor called neutron reproduction factor or multiplication factor helps to maintain the working condition of nuclear reactor.
Multiplication factor is defined as the ratio of rate of production of neutron to the rate of loss of neutrons.
Denoted by K.
K = rate of production of neutron / rate of loss of neutron
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Thank you for such an easy explanation !!! Very Easy , Very Interesting
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So easy to understand and this simply cleared my doubts about chain reaction.
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