how does one “obtain” neutrons to fire at atomic nuclei?

Question

so, i get that atoms can be split by colliding with neutrons, but how does one get a singular neutron?

In: 2

Answer 1

This depends on your purpose. In a nuclear bomb or reactor, the neutrons come from other nuclei splitting. The first neutron either comes from a random decay event or from a specialized neutron source.

A few systems to create neutron radiation on-demand exist, too. Nuclear weapons use something which is radioactive in some other kind of radiation, and suddenly combine it with a different element, which is struck by the radiation to free neutrons.

Or you can just perform nuclear fusion. Easy. Not easy to generate electricity from, but easy to do.