Learn node: Neutron life cycle, neutron science and reactor physics course, neutron stars

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Posted on 25th January 2008 by Judy Breck in physics | sciences

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neutron1.jpgIn a learn node here featuring the MIT Open Courseware on Neutron Science and Reactor Physics this chart of the Neutron Life Cycle is found in Lecture 7. The introduction to the lecture explains that:

A major objective of this course is to determine the neutron flux as a function of both position within a reactor core and the neutron energy. Neutron life cycle analysis is the first method that we will examine for this purpose. It was the principal means of design for nuclear reactors in the 1950s, before the advent of significant computational power. It remains an important tool for qualitative understanding and, in some cases, for quantitative analysis of criticality.

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Cosmic perspective on neutrons, is found at the Chandra X-Ray Observatory webpages on Neutron Stars/X-ray Binaries. The image is the Vela Pulser.

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