Critical Size

The critical size is the minimum size of a nuclear reactor core or nuclear weapon that can be made for a specific geometrical arrangement and material composition. The critical size must at least include enough fissionable material to reach critical mass. If the size of the fissionable material is less than a certain minimum, fission neutrons escape through its surface and the chain reaction is not sustained.


Famous quotes containing the words critical and/or size:

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    —Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830–1894)

    “There are some persons we could not cut down to size without diminishing ourselves as well.”
    —Jean Rostand (1894–1977)