What term describes a nucleus capable of undergoing fission when struck by a neutron?

What term describes a nucleus capable of undergoing fission when struck by a neutron?

• A. Fissile
• B. Fertile
• C. Stable
• D. Radioactive

Answer: (A)

Fissile describes a nucleus that can fission upon absorbing a neutron. This ability to fission after capturing a neutron enables a chain reaction, since the fission releases additional neutrons that can cause more fission events. Materials like uranium-235 and plutonium-239 are fissile and can fission with thermal neutrons, which is why they’re central to reactors and some weapons. Fertile materials, such as uranium-238, can become fissile after neutron capture but don’t necessarily fission themselves when struck by a neutron. Stable refers to nuclei that do not decay, and radioactive describes unstable nuclei that decay over time, not specifically about fission upon neutron absorption.

Fissile describes a nucleus that can fission upon absorbing a neutron. This ability to fission after capturing a neutron enables a chain reaction, since the fission releases additional neutrons that can cause more fission events. Materials like uranium-235 and plutonium-239 are fissile and can fission with thermal neutrons, which is why they’re central to reactors and some weapons. Fertile materials, such as uranium-238, can become fissile after neutron capture but don’t necessarily fission themselves when struck by a neutron. Stable refers to nuclei that do not decay, and radioactive describes unstable nuclei that decay over time, not specifically about fission upon neutron absorption.