What Natural Phenomena Resemble Nuclear Fission?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether there are natural phenomena that resemble or are analogous to nuclear fission. Participants explore the concept of natural nuclear fission and its occurrences in nature, including the idea of nuclear chain reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that nuclear fission is a natural process, suggesting that natural nuclear chain reactions also occur.
  • There is a request for examples of commonly occurring natural nuclear fission, highlighting a distinction between man-made and natural processes.
  • One participant mentions that uranium nuclei can fission spontaneously, while noting that other nuclei capable of fission are rare in nature.
  • The 'Oklo Phenomenon' is introduced as an example of a natural self-sustaining chain reaction that occurred approximately 1.7 billion years ago in the Gabon Uranium mines, linked to the historical ratio of U235/U238.
  • Another participant expresses a mix of amazement and amusement regarding the natural occurrence of such phenomena.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that nuclear fission can occur naturally, but there is no consensus on the specifics or the implications of these occurrences. Multiple views on the nature and examples of natural fission remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific historical conditions and ratios related to natural fission, which may depend on further definitions and assumptions about nuclear processes.

Ranku
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Is there any phenomenon in nature that resembles or is analogous to nuclear fission?
 
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Yes: Nuclear fission is a natural process.

If you mean nuclear chain reactions, the answer is still also nuclear chain reactions.
 
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mfb said:
Yes: Nuclear fission is a natural process.

If you mean nuclear chain reactions, the answer is still also nuclear chain reactions.
We usually think of nuclear fission as man-made nuclear fission, which releases a great amount of energy. Could you give an example of commonly occurring natural nuclear fission?

That natural nuclear chain reactions occurred on Earth is indeed remarkable.
 
Ranku said:
We usually think of nuclear fission as man-made nuclear fission, which releases a great amount of energy. Could you give an example of commonly occurring natural nuclear fission?
It's the same process. Uranium nuclei everywhere can fission spontaneously. A few other nuclei can do so as well but they are very rare in nature.
Nuclear reactors use chain reactions to get much higher rates of fission, enough for a power plant or whatever else the application is.
 
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Do a Google search on the 'Oklo Phenomenon' in the Gabon Uranium mines.
If one goes back ~1.7 billion years the ratio of U235/U238 was high enough that when water ingress occurred, the deposit became a natural self-sustaining chain reaction.
 
DrJHBickel said:
Do a Google search on the 'Oklo Phenomenon' in the Gabon Uranium mines.
If one goes back ~1.7 billion years the ratio of U235/U238 was high enough that when water ingress occurred, the deposit became a natural self-sustaining chain reaction.
Don't know whether to be amazed or amused at Nature's mischief!
 

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