nuclear reaction

noun
1.
reaction (def 8).
Examples from the web for nuclear reaction
  • The star continues to cook lighter nuclei into progressively heavier elements, but each nuclear reaction runs its course faster.
  • With all the fuel piled up at the bottom, there is some danger that the nuclear reaction could have restarted.
  • Boron absorbs neutrons and helps slow down the nuclear reaction, thus indirectly reducing the heat being generated.
  • Ratios of other xenon isotopes also point to a fast nuclear reaction that involved uranium.
  • It cannot produce the sustained nuclear reaction that makes a star shine.
  • These charged particles could be directed against a target, stimulating a nuclear reaction that released neutrons.
  • Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.
  • In a nuclear reaction, the tremendous binding energy inside a hydrogen or uranium nucleus is released.
  • They control or regulate the speed of the nuclear reaction by absorbing neutrons.
  • We demonstrate that the image results depend strongly on the available nuclear reaction cross section data.
British Dictionary definitions for nuclear reaction

nuclear reaction

noun
1.
a process in which the structure and energy content of an atomic nucleus are changed by interaction with another nucleus or particle
nuclear reaction in Science
nuclear reaction
A process, such as fission, fusion, or radioactive decay, in which the structure of an atomic nucleus is altered through release of energy or mass or by being broken apart. See more at fission, fusion.

nuclear reaction in Culture

nuclear reaction definition


A reaction that changes the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. There are several kinds of nuclear reactions, including the fragmentation of large nuclei into smaller ones (nuclear fission), the building up of small nuclei into larger ones (nuclear fusion), and changes begun by collisions with elementary particles or other nuclei (as in particle accelerators).

Encyclopedia Article for nuclear reaction

change in the identity or characteristics of an atomic nucleus, induced by bombarding it with an energetic particle. The bombarding particle may be an alpha particle, a gamma-ray photon, a neutron, a proton, or a heavy ion. In any case, the bombarding particle must have enough energy to approach the positively charged nucleus to within range of the strong nuclear force.

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