In a nuclear reactor, a self-sustaining chain reaction relies on particles released during the fission of heavy nuclei to go on and induce further fission events. Which particle is responsible for sustaining this chain reaction?
a proton
a β\betaβ-particle
an α\alphaα-particle
a neutron
284 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 5.1 The nuclear model of the atom, covering 5.1.1a Structure of the atom and ions, 5.1.1b Alpha-particle scattering, 5.1.2a Composition of the nucleus and isotopes, 5.1.2b Proton number, nucleon number and nuclide notation, and 5.1.2c Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.