What is Critical Mass?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-critical-mass.htm

What is Critical Mass?

Ads by Google Critical Mass Atom Buy Uranium Uranium Stock Ads by Google Decontamination equipment
We are specialized in nuclear decontamination equipment www.fagerstrom.se

Crane Safety Standards

Stay current with requirements for use of cranes at nuclear plants. www.asme.org/nuclear_cranes

Critical mass is a concept one comes across when discussing nuclear material. In brief, the critical mass of a material is the amount needed for it to continue a nuclear reaction once it has begun. There are different types of nuclear materials, and one type is known as a fissile material. Fissile materials are able to sustain a reaction once it has begun. Since the reaction can be sustained, the material can be used for certain purposes. These purposes include making nuclear weapons, and creating reactors to generate energy. The most widely-used fissile materials are Uranium-233, Uranium-235, and Plutonium-239. These three materials meet the criteria of a fissionable material, stay around for a reasonably long time, and can be found in sufficiently large amounts to make using them for fuel practical.

Physics Class VI to X
Study CBSE Maths / Science Syllabus from Home. Register free www.LearnNext.com

thorium energy
thorium energy news and information IThEO campaigns for thorium energy www.IThEO.org

MetSoc.org Ads by Google Uranium Companies Uranium Spot Price Uranium Mine Uranium Energy Corp Uranium Mining Play Uranium Uranium Investment
Metallurgical Society of CIM Your home for Metallurgy&Materials metsoc.org

Solar panels
Solar energy offers modules + inverters + accessories B5-Solar.de

Lose Weight Now

Fat Absorb helps in losing weight without dieting. Call 1800-103-2777 www.FatAbsorbIndia.net

Ads by Google Uses of Solar Power

Discover our sun's power and how to use its energy. Find out more now! Knowledge.Allianz.com

Related wiseGEEK articles What Is Organic Growth? In Chemistry, What Is a Critical Point? What Is a Nuclear Reaction? What is a Tipping Point? What are the Largest Non-Nuclear Explosions in History? What is Fermium? What is Neptunium? Category Science and Engineering wiseGEEK features Email this Article Print this Article Link to this Article Comment on this Article Add Page to Favorites Suggest a Topic

American Nuclear Society

2009 World Directory of Nuclear Util. Management now available www.ans.org

The process of a nuclear reaction is somewhat complex, but it can be looked at simply as a reaction that grows exponentially. In a reaction, an atom of the fissile material let us say Uranium-235 captures a neutron as it moves past. This causes the atom to split into two smaller atoms, and in the process launches off two or three more neutrons. These neutrons then fly off and are captured by other atoms of Uranium-235, which in turn split and send off two or three more neutrons. All of this happens in a very, very small amount of time, and releases enormous amounts of energy. The concept of critical mass is important, because in order for this reaction to continue and release huge amounts of energy, there has to be enough fissile material present that it can continue. If critical mass is not achieved, then the neutrons present will overtime decrease, making a nuclear reaction less and less likely over time. Strictly speaking, the term critical mass is used to describe the state of equilibrium in which there is enough fissile material present to keep the amount of neutrons roughly the

1 of 3

8/13/2010 6:11 AM

What is Critical Mass?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-critical-mass.htm

same, but the reaction does not generate more. Often, however, critical mass is used to describe what is more accurately called super-critical mass, when enough of the material is present that neutrons continue colliding with fissile atoms and releasing more neutrons, generating energy and heat. To use fissile material in a nuclear weapon, it is obviously important that the material be kept below critical mass otherwise the bomb would detonate immediately. Usually two pieces of material are kept apart at sub-critical mass, and when it is time for the bomb to be detonated, they are thrown together very hard and very quickly. They then create a super-critical mass, and the bomb explodes. If they are not thrown together quickly enough, then a smaller explosion happens first and blows the two pieces further apart, so that the large explosion never occurs this is often referred to as a fizzle. Critical mass is different depending on the material being used. In the case of Uranium-233, the critical mass is about 35 pounds (15kg). In the case of Uranium-235, the critical mass is about 115 pounds (52kg). And in the case of Plutonium-239, the critical mass is about 22 pounds (10kg). This might seem like quite a bit, but keep in mind these materials are extremely dense. With most nuclear materials, a sphere not much larger than a baseball will reach critical mass , and cause an enormous explosion.

Ads by Google Uranium Ore Uranium Related topics Critical Mass Uranium

Uranium Investing Mass Critical

Uranium Enrichment

Australia

Critical Mass Bag

Critical Mass

Ads by Google RELAP5

System Thermal-Hydraulic Analyses Nuclear applications www.relap.com

Isotope Ratio Mass Specs

Find full range of IRMS analysers & preparation systems. www.sercongroup.com

Did You Know?

A typical restaurant serving of steak is four times the size of the recommended serving. more...
get widget

Follow wiseGEEK

Learn Something New Every Day

Discuss this Article

i would advise people to be careful with the numbers this site provides for critical mass.

- anon86793

Post your comments

FREE: Subscribe to wiseGEEK

learn more
our strict privacy policy ensures that your email address will be safe

Written by Brendan McGuigan Last Modified: 26 May 2010

copyright 2003 - 2010, conjecture corporation

2 of 3

8/13/2010 6:11 AM

What is Critical Mass?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-critical-mass.htm

Write for wiseGEEK: Freelance Writing Jobs home FAQ contact about testimonials terms privacy policy

3 of 3

8/13/2010 6:11 AM