13.

Nuclear Fission Reaction

Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller
parts (lighter nuclei).
The fission process often produces free neutrons and photons (in the form of gamma
rays), and releases a large amount of energy.
In nuclear physics, nuclear fission is either a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay
process.
The case of decay process is called spontaneous fission and it is very rare process.
The neutron-induced nuclear fission, the process of the greatest practical importance in
reactor physics.

The above diagram describes that nuclear reaction is triggered by the neutron
(i.e nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts (lighter nuclei))
There are nuclei that can undergo fission on their own spontaneously, but only certain
nuclei, like uranium-235, uranium-233 and plutonium-239, can sustain a fission chain
reaction.
This is because these nuclei release neutrons when they break apart, and these neutrons
can induce fission of other nuclei.
Free neutrons released by each fission play very important role as a trigger of the
reaction.

Chain reaction
A nuclear chain reaction occurs when one single nuclear reaction causes an average of
one or more subsequent nuclear reactions, thus leading to the possibility of a self-
propagating series of these reactions. The one or more is the key parameter of reactor
physics. To raise or lower the power, the amount of reactions must be changed (using the
control rods) so that the number of neutrons present (and hence the rate of power
generation) is either reduced or increased.

Key Features of Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is the main process generating nuclear energy.
Most of the energy (~85%) is released in the form of kinetic energy of the spitted
parts.
Neutrons trigger the nuclear fission.
The fission process produces free neutrons (2 or 3).
The fission takes place in the nuclear reactor core.
The reactor core consists of nuclear fuel, control rods, moderator (coolant) and
neutron reflector.
13. Michelsons's Method velocity of Light
Albert A. Michelson used a spinning mirror apparatus that was a better quality
version of Foucault's apparatus.
The reason his method was so accurate is that he used a rotating eight sided
mirror.
A beam of light hit one of the sides and reflected to a stationary mirror
35 km away on a mountain top.
This beam bounced back to the rotating mirror. As long as the rotating
mirror has spun exactly 1/8th of a turn, the next side is in the correct
position to reflect the light to an observer looking through a telescope.

Advantage of Michelson's Method

The distance between the two stations is very large.

This is a null method so there is no measurement of the displacement of the
image.
The image is very bright and so its position can be located with accuracy.
The appearance and disappearance of the image is quite abrupt so that it coincides
with cross wires in the telescope only for a particular constant speed of the mirror.

Disadvantage of Michelson's Method

It is very difficult to keep the high speed of rotation of the mirror constant for a
long time.
At high speed, the rotating mirror may break.