Modern Physics >
Nuclear Physics > Nuclear Reactions
DCS# 7D20.10
MOUSETRAP CHAIN
REACTION
APPARATUS
50
mousetraps
202-04-C4
101
superballs
202-04-C4
wire mesh cage
atop 202-01
DESCRIPTION
This is a model of an
uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction. The mousetraps
represent uranium-235 (or other fissionable) nuclei and the
balls represent neutrons. Initiate the reaction by
dropping a ball into the cage. When it lands on a
mousetrap, the mousetrap will launch two more balls and
possibly the mousetrap itself, which will then trip other
mousetraps, and so on, in a brief but dramatic cascade.
NOTES
Position the
ringstands at the corners of a 77 x 52 cm rectangle on a
sturdy cart. Lower the cage over the ringstands and prop
it up while setting the traps. The mousetraps fit inside
the cage in a 4 x 11 or 4 x 12 array. Set the traps a
row at a time, then load two balls per trap. With the
"cheese" end toward you, load the left ball first so that if
it nudges the holding bar, it will push it toward rather than
away from the catch. Remove any particularly sensitive
traps. When all traps are set and loaded, carefully
lower the cage.
