Question

Suppose 3 neutrons are released by an atom of U-235 in the first stage of a fission chain reaction. Each of these neutrons has enough energy to cause another fission reaction in another nucleus of U-235, releasing more neutrons. And if all of those 2nd stage neutrons cause other nuclei to fission in a 3rd stage, how many total U-235 atoms will have undergone fission after these 3 stages of the chain reaction?
A. 27
B. 9
C. 11
D. 12

Answer 1

may be 9
i am not certain

Answer 2

I think 9 also

Answer 3

It's not 9

Answer 4

Its 11

Answer 5

the first stage is 1 U-235 giving off 3 neutrons. Those 3 neutrons collide with 3 U-235 in the 2nd stage producing various products and in particular 7 more neutrons. Those 7 collide with 7 more U-235 atoms in the 3rd stage. That gives you a total of 11 U-235 atoms in the chain reaction.

Answer 6

Medal please

Answer 7

12

Answer 8

I mean since we are all cheating on our homework, mine paper was graded correct at 12 after I got 9 the first time.