FAST NEUTRONS Meaning and
Definition
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Fast neutrons are subatomic particles that are emitted during a nuclear reaction or decay process with high kinetic energy. These neutrons possess a significant amount of energy, typically in the range of millions of electron volts (MeV), and exhibit high speeds or velocities, often reaching several percentages of the speed of light. Fast neutrons are thus categorized based on their accelerated motion and energetic properties.
Unlike slow or thermal neutrons, which have been effectively slowed down by interacting with a moderator material, fast neutrons are generally unmoderated and maintain their high energy levels. Due to their increased kinetic energy, fast neutrons have the ability to penetrate deeply into materials and display higher levels of penetration than slower neutrons. Their high energy makes them particularly suitable for various applications – such as nuclear reactors, particle accelerators, and some types of medical treatments – where high levels of energy deposition and deep penetration into target materials are required.
In nuclear fission reactions, fast neutrons are the primary drivers of the chain reaction as they can easily collide with fissile nuclei, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, and induce further fission events. Moreover, fast neutrons can also be employed in neutron activation analysis to determine the composition and concentrations of elements in a given sample by capturing neutrons and undergoing nuclear reactions. Overall, fast neutrons play a crucial role in various scientific, industrial, and medical applications owing to their high energy and penetrating properties.
Common Misspellings for FAST NEUTRONS
- dast neutrons
- cast neutrons
- vast neutrons
- gast neutrons
- tast neutrons
- rast neutrons
- fzst neutrons
- fsst neutrons
- fwst neutrons
- fqst neutrons
- faat neutrons
- fazt neutrons
- faxt neutrons
- fadt neutrons
- faet neutrons
- fawt neutrons
- fasr neutrons
- fasf neutrons
- fasg neutrons
- fasy neutrons
Etymology of FAST NEUTRONS
The word "fast neutrons" can be broken down into two parts: "fast" and "neutrons".
The term "fast" is used in nuclear physics to describe neutrons with high energies. It comes from the Middle English word "fast", meaning "firmly fixed" or "quick". In this context, "fast" refers to the high velocity of these neutrons.
The word "neutrons" refers to subatomic particles that have no electrical charge and are found in the nucleus of atoms. The term "neutron" was coined in 1932 by the British physicist James Chadwick, who discovered and characterized these particles.
So, the term "fast neutrons" essentially refers to neutrons that are moving at high speeds or have high energy levels.
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