3min chapter

In Our Time: Science cover image

The Neutron

In Our Time: Science

CHAPTER

Fermi's Nuclear Chain Reaction

Fermi made his own neutron source. He sealed up little ampoules of radioactive radon gas and beryllium, which is what you find in Chadwick's device. And he discovered that the neutron could be made to produce new elements - themselves often radioactive. So where your nuclear reaction releases more neutrons than are put in, you can start to set off a chain reaction,. Which increases in speed. Now every step in this chain also involves the release of a large amount of energy. This could be something that this is a process that could be put to military use in an explosive device.

00:00

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode