Nuclear Fission Chain Reaction

PhysicsQuantum & Nuclear PhysicsCommunity

Simulate a nuclear chain reaction in a grid of Uranium nuclei. Adjust enrichment, critical mass, control rods, and moderator to control the multiplication factor (k).

Lesson: Nuclear reactors use U-235 which fissions when absorbing a slow (thermal) neutron, releasing energy and 2-3 new neutrons. This creates a chain reaction. To maintain a steady rate (criticality, k=1), we use a moderator to slow down neutrons and control rods to absorb excess neutrons. If the fuel mass is too small (subcritical), too many neutrons escape. If k > 1, the reaction grows exponentially (supercritical).

Created by a teacher with Simulic AI and reviewed by the Simulic team.