Americium-241 undergoes fission to produce three neutrons per fission event. if a neutron-absorbing material is mixed in with th
is sample so that the rate of neutron production drops down to 1.8 neutrons per fission event, which will be effective at achieving a critical mass? check all that apply. remove a deflective shield surrounding the sample. remove absorbent material mixed in with the sample. compress the sample of americium-241.
Critical mass can be achieved by compressing the sample of americium-241 and also removing the deflective shield surrounding the sample.
<h3>What is critical mass?</h3>
Critical mass of a nuclear reaction is the mass of nuclear fuel which is just sufficient for a nuclear fission reaction to proceed and be sustained.
In order to achieve critical mass, the density of the fuel is increased by compressing the sample of americium-241 and also remove the deflective shield surrounding the sample.
