critical mass
2
6.2
- noun
- /ˈkrɪtɪkəl mæs/
- Specialized
:
masa crítica
- The exact critical mass for the 18.8% uranium mixture in the JCO precipitation tank is not known.
- reach critical mass
- critical mass of fissile material
You know, it's just like, you know, we we classify how to do, you know, the whole nuclear do you know how to create a critical mass, right.
- You know, it's just like, you know, we we classify how to do, you know, the whole nuclear do you know how to create a critical mass, right.
Examples
-
In the Joyo reactor, the minimum critical mass for the solid 18.8% uranium fuel is about 46 kg.
Academic text (1999) -
To initiate the nuclear reaction, scientists calculated the critical mass of plutonium required for the process.
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And it must do so quickly, for North Korea could have a critical mass of nuclear weapons within six months.
Academic text (2003) -
Is it possible to build a smaller plant with less of a critical mass of uranium and plutonium?
Blog text (20) -
A critical mass of fissionable material is the minimum mass that will produce fission.
Academic text (1999) -
What was the critical mass of uranium and plutonium needed for detonation?
Academic text (1997) -
But the critical mass is greatly reduced when the fuel is in solution because light atoms, such as hydrogen, slow neutrons between fissions, making it more likely that they will be absorbed.
Academic text (1999) -
The Iraqi nuclear weapon design, which appeared to consist of a solid sphere of uranium, incorporated sufficient HEU to be very nearly one full critical mass in its normal state.
Academic text (1998) -
The engineers discussed the critical mass needed for the reactor to operate efficiently and safely.
-
Determining the critical mass of uranium is essential for ensuring a sustained nuclear chain reaction in the reactor design.
Synonyms
4
9.1
The point when a system becomes unstable and keeps going on its own, for example a nuclear reactor
Antonyms
How Much
Surface Forms
Morphology
Combining 'critical' (a point where properties change or a tipping point) with 'mass' (an amount) transparently yields the idea of a minimum or threshold quantity needed for a change to occur, a sense that is cross-linguistically common and likely inferable by a B1 learner who knows both words. However, the specific technical meaning referring to fissile material and sustaining a nuclear chain reaction is specialized domain knowledge, so the expression is only partially predictable from the constituents.
Etymology
Critical mass in nuclear science describes the smallest amount of material needed so splitting atoms keep causing more splits, when the mass becomes critical and the reaction continues. That's why in science it means the 'minimum amount' needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction.