CHAIN REACTION Meaning and
Definition
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A chain reaction refers to a series of events where each event triggers the next one, resulting in a sequence of interconnected actions or reactions. It is a phenomenon characterized by a domino effect where the outcome of one action leads to the initiation of subsequent actions in a continuous and self-perpetuating manner. The term originated from the concept of a reaction involving the linking and propagation of reactions in a physical or chemical process.
In a physical context, chain reactions occur in nuclear processes, such as the fission of atomic nuclei. The release of energy from each fission event triggers further atomic nuclei to undergo fission, leading to a cascading release of energy. Similarly, in a chemical context, a chain reaction can occur when a reactive molecule initiates a series of reactions with neighboring molecules, causing them to become reactive and propagating the reaction.
Beyond scientific domains, chain reactions can also be used to describe events in social, economic, and political contexts. For instance, a market crash or an economic recession can set off a series of negative events, such as job losses, reduced consumer spending, and company bankruptcies. These events in turn have further negative repercussions, creating a cascade of economic downturn. In social and political domains, chain reactions can be observed in the spread of ideas, social movements, or conflicts, where an initial event or action triggers subsequent events and influences the course of events in an interconnected manner.
Top Common Misspellings for CHAIN REACTION *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for CHAIN REACTION
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- cnain reaction
- cjain reaction
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- chzin reaction
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- chwin reaction
- chqin reaction
- chaun reaction
- chajn reaction
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- chaon reaction
- cha9n reaction
Etymology of CHAIN REACTION
The term "chain reaction" originated in the field of chemistry and was first used to describe a series of chemical reactions that occur in a self-sustaining manner.
The word "chain" stems from the Old English word "cæġen" or "cæġean" which referred to a series of linked rings or links. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*kaginnaz". Over time, the meaning of "chain" expanded to include various contexts beyond physical objects, such as a series of events or a connected sequence.
The term "reaction" originated from the Latin word "reactio", which means "a response, something done in return". Further tracing leads to the Latin verb "re-" which means "back" and "agere" meaning "to do".
Idioms with the word CHAIN REACTION
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chain reaction
A chain reaction is a series of events in which each event triggers or causes the next one, leading to a cumulative effect or outcome. It refers to a sequence of events that are linked together and build upon each other, often resulting in a rapid and widespread impact.
Similar spelling word for CHAIN REACTION
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