In the experiment that was performed that initially split the atom, the explanation goes that you take a neutron and fire it into a heavy, unstable element like U-238 which splits into more neutrons and releases some energy etc etc etc.
We’ve all heard it.
However it seems to miss the part around how you obtain the initial neutrons. As far as I’m aware they don’t occur naturally on their own, so how did they obtain enough of them to split the atom in the experiment?
(I’m aware that for the bomb they combine too lumps of U238 to create a super critical mass, however I’m more interested in the initial experiment)
In: 72
Alright, kiddo! 😊
Step by step:
1. Everything is made of tiny things called atoms.
2. Inside these atoms, there are even tinier parts. One of these parts is called a neutron.
3. Scientists have big machines called particle accelerators.
4. In these machines, they speed up atoms super-fast and smash them together.
5. When the atoms crash, the tiny parts, like neutrons, come out.
6. Scientists then study these neutrons.
So, we get a neutron by using big machines to break apart atoms! Cool, right?
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