neutron absorption
What neutron absorption means in Physics GCSE, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of neutron absorption
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Reference: AQA
The process by which control rods take in surplus neutrons; lowering the rods further into the core increases the number absorbed.
The neutron is taken into the nucleus rather than bouncing off it, leaving the nucleus highly unstable.
The step in which an unstable nucleus must usually first absorb a neutron for fission to occur.
Topics that use neutron absorption
- Nuclear fission (AQA GCSE)
- Uses and hazards (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- chain reaction
- nuclear fission
- contamination
- control rods
- energy released per fission
- energy transfer to thermal store
- fissions per second
- Half-life
Using neutron absorption in the exam
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