Nuclear reaction: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 12:00, 15 February 2025

Nuclear Reaction[edit]

A nuclear reaction is a process in which two atomic nuclei or a nucleus and a subatomic particle collide to produce one or more new nuclei and subatomic particles. In essence, it involves a change in an atom's nucleus and is distinct from chemical reactions, which involve only the electrons surrounding the nucleus.

Nuclear reactions are fundamental to the field of nuclear physics and have applications in nuclear power, nuclear weapons, and nuclear medicine. They can be classified into several types, including fusion, fission, and radioactive decay.

Types of Nuclear Reactions[edit]

Nuclear Fusion[edit]

Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process. This is the reaction that powers the sun and other stars. An example of a fusion reaction is the combination of deuterium and tritium to form helium and a neutron.

Nuclear Fission[edit]

Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into two lighter nuclei, accompanied by the release of energy. This process is utilized in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs. A common fission reaction involves the splitting of uranium-235 or plutonium-239.

Radioactive Decay[edit]

Radioactive decay is a spontaneous process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. This can occur through the emission of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays.

Li6-D Reaction[edit]

The Li6-D reaction is a specific type of nuclear fusion reaction involving lithium-6 and deuterium. In this reaction, a lithium-6 nucleus absorbs a deuterium nucleus, resulting in the formation of two helium nuclei. This reaction is of interest in the study of controlled nuclear fusion and has potential applications in fusion energy.

Applications of Nuclear Reactions[edit]

Nuclear reactions have a wide range of applications:

Nuclear Power: Nuclear fission reactions are harnessed in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.
Nuclear Weapons: Both fission and fusion reactions are used in the design of nuclear weapons.
Nuclear Medicine: Radioactive isotopes produced through nuclear reactions are used in medical imaging and cancer treatment.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Nuclear reaction''' refers to a process in which two [[nucleus|nuclei]], or a nucleus of an [[atom]] and a [[subatomic particle]] such as a [[proton]], [[neutron]], or high energy [[electron]], collide to produce one or more [[nuclide]]s that are different from the nuclide(s) that began the process.
+== Nuclear Reaction ==
-== Overview ==
+A '''nuclear reaction''' is a process in which two [[atomic nuclei]] or a nucleus and a subatomic particle collide to produce one or more new nuclei and subatomic particles. In essence, it involves a change in an atom's nucleus and is distinct from chemical reactions, which involve only the electrons surrounding the nucleus.
-In a nuclear reaction, the total [[charge]] must be conserved, so the number of [[proton]]s should be the same before and after the reaction. The properties of the atomic nuclei (the 'species' of atom) involved in nuclear reactions are thus changed significantly. This contrasts with [[chemical reaction]]s, where the number of protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei remain unchanged.
+[[File:Li6-D_Reaction.svg|thumb|right|Diagram of a Li6-D nuclear reaction]]
-== Types of Nuclear Reactions ==
+Nuclear reactions are fundamental to the field of [[nuclear physics]] and have applications in [[nuclear power]], [[nuclear weapons]], and [[nuclear medicine]]. They can be classified into several types, including fusion, fission, and radioactive decay.
-There are several types of nuclear reactions, including:
+=== Types of Nuclear Reactions ===
-* [[Nuclear fusion]]: This is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei come close enough to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles. The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as the release of large amounts of energy.
+==== Nuclear Fusion ====
-* [[Nuclear fission]]: This is a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller, lighter nuclei. The fission process often produces gamma photons, and releases a very large amount of energy.
-* [[Neutron capture]]: This is a nuclear reaction in which an atomic nucleus and one or more neutrons collide and merge to form a heavier nucleus.
-== See Also ==
+[[Nuclear fusion]] is a reaction in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy in the process. This is the reaction that powers the [[sun]] and other stars. An example of a fusion reaction is the combination of [[deuterium]] and [[tritium]] to form [[helium]] and a [[neutron]].
-* [[Nuclear physics]]
+==== Nuclear Fission ====
-* [[Radioactive decay]]
-* [[Nuclear chain reaction]]
+[[Nuclear fission]] is the splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into two lighter nuclei, accompanied by the release of energy. This process is utilized in [[nuclear reactors]] and [[atomic bombs]]. A common fission reaction involves the splitting of [[uranium-235]] or [[plutonium-239]].
+==== Radioactive Decay ====
+[[Radioactive decay]] is a spontaneous process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. This can occur through the emission of [[alpha particles]], [[beta particles]], or [[gamma rays]].
+=== Li6-D Reaction ===
+The Li6-D reaction is a specific type of nuclear fusion reaction involving [[lithium-6]] and [[deuterium]]. In this reaction, a lithium-6 nucleus absorbs a deuterium nucleus, resulting in the formation of two [[helium]] nuclei. This reaction is of interest in the study of controlled nuclear fusion and has potential applications in [[fusion energy]].
-== References ==
+=== Applications of Nuclear Reactions ===
-<references />
+Nuclear reactions have a wide range of applications:
-== External Links ==
+* '''Nuclear Power''': Nuclear fission reactions are harnessed in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.
+* '''Nuclear Weapons''': Both fission and fusion reactions are used in the design of nuclear weapons.
+* '''Nuclear Medicine''': Radioactive isotopes produced through nuclear reactions are used in medical imaging and cancer treatment.
-* [https://www.britannica.com/science/nuclear-reaction Britannica: Nuclear Reaction]
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Nuclear physics]]
+* [[Nuclear reactor]]
+* [[Nuclear weapon]]
+* [[Radioactive decay]]
 [[Category:Nuclear physics]]
-[[Category:Nuclear technology]]
-[[Category:Nuclear chemistry]]
 [[Category:Nuclear reactions]]
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-{{dictionary-stub1}}