so nuclear reactors generate power by splitting atoms but what actually splits these atoms?

Question

so nuclear reactors generate power by splitting atoms but what actually splits these atoms?

In: 6

Answer 1

Watch uranium chasing the dragons tale it’s a good show and explains how uranium is unstable meaning it is in a constant state of decay changing into new elements each time these atoms decay or loose protons and neutrons cesium is one of the daughter’s of uranium and cesium 137 is very unstable by adding a single proton to it you cause it to split apart into two different elements loosing part of the original mass in the process by shooting off extra protons. This also creates heat. Someone had the diabolical idea to put a bunch of it together and then it causes a chain reaction splitting other atoms untill you get a nuclear detonation. Someone figured out that different elemental daughter’s of uranium could be harnessed and controlled in a fission process and the much more controlled and slower reaction moderated by things like graphite we can create steam and turn turbines to make power. Instead of blowing up.

Short answer is idk but adding a proton makes them split and shoot off extra protons that cause chain reactions 1 hits two two hits 4. 4 hits well you get it we can controll this reaction in fission process with reactors