subcritical
1
7.4
- adjective
- /sʌbˈkrɪtɪkəl/
- Specialized
:
subcrítico
- Or do they already do something like this, and the problem is not that they're unable to cool the critical mass, but that the subcritical masses remain hot enough long enough that they're a problem even though they're subcritical?
Examples
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When highly enriched uranium is used as fissile material, as it was in the untested bomb dropped on Hiroshima, two slightly subcritical masses are combined by firing one against the other in a short artillery gun barrel.
Academic text (2005) -
Or do they already do something like this, and the problem is not that they're unable to cool the critical mass, but that the subcritical masses remain hot enough long enough that they're a problem even though they're subcritical?
Blog text (20) -
Cut the power and the engine stops, at which point the springs quickly pull the subcritical masses apart.
Blog text (20) -
Or do they already do something like this, and the problem is not that they're unable to cool the critical mass, but that the subcritical masses remain hot enough long enough that they're a problem even though they're subcritical?
Blog text (20) -
Or do they already do something like this, and the problem is not that they're unable to cool the critical mass, but that the subcritical masses remain hot enough long enough that they're a problem even though they're subcritical?
Blog text (20) -
In the current circumstance, the reactors are subcritical—they've been shut down.
Blog text (20) -
If we want a fail-safe thorium fuel cycle, the breeding ratio may drop to under 1:1; that is, the reactor becomes subcritical and needs supplemental neutrons to stay alive.
Blog text (32) -
In a controlled environment, the nuclear reactor was kept subcritical to prevent an uncontrolled reaction during testing.
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The scientists ensured that the material remained subcritical by carefully adjusting the neutron levels.
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When the reactor was shut down, it was verified that it was subcritical to avoid any potential hazards.
How Critical
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Subcritical comes from sub- 'below' (think submarine) and critical 'an important limit' (as in a 'critical decision' or 'critical mass'). So a subcritical mass is 'below the level' needed to start and keep a chain reaction, which is why reactors are kept subcritical for safety.