EXPERIMENT 2: A Domino Model of a Chain Reaction

    Back in the beginning we talked about atoms that decay spontaneously into smaller atoms. Inside a nuclear power plant, though, atoms are  made  to split. And this splitting occurs more or less on schedule, rather than by accident.

    The isotope of uranium called U-235 is ideally suited for such action. U-235 atoms are easily split by bombarding them with neutrons. In effect, the neutrons act like bullets that trigger the splitting of the uranium atoms.

    When a neutron strikes a U-235 atom, several things happen:

1. The  atom  breaks  apart  into  the  smaller  atoms  of barium and krypton.
2. A substantial amount of energy is released.
3. Two or more neutrons are hurled away by the splitting atom