answersLogoWhite

0

The only example of nuclear fission in a naturally occurring material is of Uranium 235, which comprises 0.7 percent of natural uranium, the rest being Uranium 238 which is not fissile. To use U235 in a nuclear reactor it is usually enriched to about 4 percent first, though reactors have been designed to use natural uranium. These have to use graphite or heavy water as moderator, as normal water absorbs too many neutrons.

During reactor operation some of the U238 absorbs a neutron and becomes Plutonium 239 which is also fissile, so this contributes to a proportion of the reactor power which increases as the fuel is used and the U235 diminishes.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is an example of uncontrolled nuclear fission reaction?

Atomic fission bomb.


Fission and fusion are example of what kind of energy?

Nuclear energy.


Is an example of nuclear fission?

An example of nuclear fission might be a nuclear weapon. In this device, sub-critical masses of fissionable material are driven together by conventional explosives. This "assembles" a critical mass, and a chain reaction will follow. That is a nuclear fission chain reaction. In another example, a nuclear reactor has its control rods pulled and achieves criticality. It is brought to operating temperature and generates heat to make steam and drive turbines. The reactor operates on the principle of nuclear fission.


Where do you get nuclear fission?

You get nuclear fission in:nuclear fission reactorsatomic fission bombs


Is uranium 235 and a neutron producting barium 141 an example of nuclear fusion?

No. it is an example of nuclear fission (splitting of nucleus).


Which is not an example of fossil fuel?

Uranium-235, which powers nuclear fission


What is the splitting of an atoms nucleus into two smaller nuclei is called?

nuclear fission


A nuclear reaction in which an atoms nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei and energy is released as heat is known as?

nuclear fission


Is a nuclear power plant producing electricity an example of nuclear fusion?

No, a nuclear power plant producing electricity is an example of nuclear fission, not fusion. In nuclear fission, the nucleus of an atom is split, releasing energy, whereas in nuclear fusion, atomic nuclei combine to release energy.


The splitting of a heavy nucleus is called?

The splitting of a heavy nucleus is called nuclear fission. This process releases a large amount of energy and is the principle behind nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.


What is splitting of atomic nuclei?

Splitting of atomic nuclei, also known as nuclear fission, is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom is split into smaller parts. This process releases a significant amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. Nuclear fission is used in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.


What is it called when nuclear fission is repeated?

When nuclear fission is repeated in a self-sustaining chain reaction, it is called a nuclear reactor or a nuclear power plant.