Talk:Moderated nuclear explosion
Let me suggest something to make the text clearer. 1) The definition is misleading. It is better first to write something like "A moderated nuclear explosion results from a nuclear chain reaction mediated by moderated neutrons. With moderated neutrons fissile cross-sections are much higher than with fast neutrons, hence less fissile material is required in a moderated device to reach criticality", because this rather than its relation to criticality accidents is the defining property of the effect. 2) A citation is certainly needed for Chernobyl. 3) The Manhattan project produced the idea of a chain reaction of fast neutrons in metallic uranium or plutonium, but not exactly pure. These are often alloys with some other metals to improve physical characteristics of plutonium. 4) "The explosive power of a moderated explosion is limited, typically it may be equal to a chemical explosive of similar mass" -- this is probably misleading. As far as I have understand George, 1 kg of water-solved uranium produce little energy, but still hundred times more than 1 kg TNT. Colchicum 14:38, 20 September 2007 (UTC)
- Yes, and "suggested nuclear weapon design" rather than "nuclear weapon design". Colchicum 14:42, 20 September 2007 (UTC)
Restoring article to main space
I am restoring this deleted article to main article space. The motivation is that there is now widespread speculation that some of the explosions that destroyed the Fukushima I nuclear reactors were in fact moderated nuclear explosions. The most recent expert statement comes from professor Christopher Busby, the Scientific Secretary of the European Committee on Radiation Risks. When interviewed on Russia Today he states that he believes that at least one of the explosions in Fukushima was a (moderated) nuclear explosions.
- "Busby: 'Can't seal Fukushima like Chernobyl - it all goes into sea'". Russia Today. 25.04.2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - “I don’t think the end of Fukushima accident is in sight”
-- Petri Krohn (talk) 09:27, 26 April 2011 (UTC)
- Can you identify the precise points in the Russia Today broadcasts where Busby uses the term "moderated nuclear explosion", or where he otherwise makes it clear what sort of explosion he thought it was and how fission processes such as this article describes figured into it? Even if you hear something I missed, please note that a couple of brief mentions in the media do not meet WP:GNG. Yakushima (talk)
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 1995-7
There is an interesting dabate in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists from 1995 to 1997. I will link it here for future reference.
- Alexander R. Sich responds: – Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists September 1996
- Chernobyl's nuclear secret - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, March 1997