nuclear reaction
noun
physics
: a process in which the nucleus of an atom is changed by being split apart or joined with the nucleus of another atom
Examples of nuclear reaction in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If there's a great enough concentration of fuel, the result is a self-sustaining nuclear reaction.
—
David Szondy, New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2024
Development of the Experimental Breeder Reactor-I, as the reactor that powered the lightbulbs was known, began in the late 1940s, as the United States government sought to develop a nuclear reaction process that would extend its finite supply of uranium.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
In 2013, weapons development at the lab’s plutonium facility temporarily ceased after a series of incidents, including one in which staff members arranged plutonium rods together, for a photo opportunity, in a scenario that could have sparked an enormous nuclear reaction.
—Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
The result is a fuel assembly that is extremely durable, resistant to heat and corrosion, and produces a self-limiting nuclear reaction that cannot go out of control.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024
Mistaking forbearance for weakness, NATO spokespersons have scoffed, contending that since previous provocations elicited no nuclear reaction, the West can cross any and all Russian red lines with impunity.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 2024
In addition to the fuel rods, there are shutdown rods inserted during transport to halt the nuclear reaction entirely.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024
Should the power to the reactor fail for whatever reason, the fuel pebbles automatically regulate the nuclear reaction by the laws of physics.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 31 July 2024
This nuclear reaction produces energy, shooting the electron out of the atom at high speed.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
David Szondy, New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2024
Development of the Experimental Breeder Reactor-I, as the reactor that powered the lightbulbs was known, began in the late 1940s, as the United States government sought to develop a nuclear reaction process that would extend its finite supply of uranium.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
In 2013, weapons development at the lab’s plutonium facility temporarily ceased after a series of incidents, including one in which staff members arranged plutonium rods together, for a photo opportunity, in a scenario that could have sparked an enormous nuclear reaction.
—Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
The result is a fuel assembly that is extremely durable, resistant to heat and corrosion, and produces a self-limiting nuclear reaction that cannot go out of control.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024
Mistaking forbearance for weakness, NATO spokespersons have scoffed, contending that since previous provocations elicited no nuclear reaction, the West can cross any and all Russian red lines with impunity.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 2024
In addition to the fuel rods, there are shutdown rods inserted during transport to halt the nuclear reaction entirely.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024
Should the power to the reactor fail for whatever reason, the fuel pebbles automatically regulate the nuclear reaction by the laws of physics.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 31 July 2024
This nuclear reaction produces energy, shooting the electron out of the atom at high speed.
—Rhett Allain, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near nuclear reaction
Cite this Entry
“Nuclear reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuclear%20reaction. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share