Radiation safety and nuclear energy

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Question 59
Easy

Nuclei of lithium-7 can absorb high-energy protons and emit neutrons, but they do not undergo fission when they absorb neutrons.

In contrast, uranium-235 nuclei undergo fission when they absorb neutrons, emitting several more neutrons in the process.

Give a reason why a self-sustaining chain reaction can occur in a sample of uranium-235 but not in a sample of lithium-7.

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Radiation safety and nuclear energy Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Radiation safety and nuclear energy