Nuclear Fission: Basics and Chain Reaction

This lecture covers the basic principles of nuclear fission, starting with the collision between a neutron and a uranium nucleus, leading to either scattering or absorption. The process of nuclear fission involves the absorption of a neutron by uranium 235, resulting in the formation of uranium 236 which then breaks down into different particles, releasing energy in the form of gamma and beta rays. The lecture explains how a chain reaction occurs, with the generation of more neutrons leading to the production of additional energy. The concept of critical and supercritical cases in nuclear reactions is also discussed, emphasizing the importance of controlling reactivity to prevent overheating.