nuclear reaction

nuclear reaction

n.

A reaction, as in fission, fusion, or radioactive decay, that alters the energy, composition, or structure of an atomic nucleus.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

nuclear reaction

n

(General Physics) a process in which the structure and energy content of an atomic nucleus are changed by interaction with another nucleus or particle

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

re•ac•tion

(riˈæk ʃən)

n.

1. action in response to some influence, event, etc.: the nation's reaction to the president's speech.

2.

a. a physiological response to an action or condition.

b. a physiological change indicating sensitivity to foreign matter: an allergic reaction.

3. an action in a reverse direction or manner.

4. a movement toward extreme political conservatism; a desire to return to an earlier system or order.

5.

a. the reciprocal action of chemical agents upon each other; chemical change.

b. a process that, unlike a chemical reaction, has the power to change the nucleus of an atom, as radioactive decay, fission, or the like.

6. Mech. the instantaneous response of a system to an applied force, manifested as the exertion of a force equal in magnitude, but opposite in direction, to the applied force.

[1635–45; on the model of react]

re•ac′tion•al, adj.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

nuclear reaction

A reaction, as in fission, fusion, or radioactive decay, that changes the energy or structure of an atomic nucleus. See more at fission, fusion.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

nuclear reaction - (physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" chain reaction - a self-sustaining nuclear reaction; a series of nuclear fissions in which neutrons released by splitting one atom leads to the splitting of others radioactive decay, disintegration, decay - the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation endoergic reaction - a nuclear reaction occurring with absorption of energy exoergic reaction - a nuclear reaction accompanied by the evolution of energy nuclear fission, fission - a nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy nuclear fusion, nuclear fusion reaction, fusion - a nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy natural action, natural process, action, activity - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity" spallation - (physics) a nuclear reaction in which a bombarded nucleus breaks up into many particles; "some astronomers believe that the solar system was formed by spallation when the sun was a very young star"

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