Nuclear Chain Reaction

Nuclear Chain Reaction

A nuclear chain reaction occurs when one nuclear reaction causes an average of one or more nuclear reactions, thus leading to a self-propagating number of these reactions. The specific nuclear reaction may be the fission of heavy isotopes (e.g. ²³⁵U) or the fusion of light isotopes (e.g. ²H and ³H). The nuclear chain reaction is unique since it releases several million times more energy per reaction than any chemical reaction.

1. Bunch of dominos
2. Ruler
3. Flat table that doesn't shake

Arrange the dominos in the pattern shown.
On another section of the table, arrange two straight lines of dominos.








Knock over the single domino in front on the first pattern. Watch what happens.
Now, knock over the first domino in one of the two straight lines.







Take the ruler and hold it anywhere between the dominos lined up in the second straight line. Knock over the first domino and watch what happens. Not all the dominos fell over.