Implications

[foodchain]

What are the implications of nuclear reactions, atomic power and so on in relation to QM. What I mean basically is how does QM come to bear in regards to nuclear activities of any kind really.

[Fred56]

Well, they are pretty intertwined. We treat nuclear power in a classical way, because QM only comes into the picture at much smaller scales. Can you be any more specific about what you're asking...?

[foodchain]

Well, they are pretty intertwined. We treat nuclear power in a classical way, because QM only comes into the picture at much smaller scales. Can you be any more specific about what you're asking...?

 

Well from what I understand QM needs to come into play on an atomic subatomic level simply because classical means of explanation cannot be used to success in such environments. Then the idea comes of nuclear power which if I have anything close to a proper understanding of such is basically centered around the nucleus of an atom and is something in the ballpark of nucleosynthesis if I might add in reverse. QM though basically puts forward a certain level of uncertainty that exists in quantum systems, so does such also apply to nuclear reactors currently? Or is such defeated by working in bulk with various materials.

 

I also lastly want to know about the idea of using radioactive isotopes in nuclear processes. Such as would it be possible at all to use a super cooled plasma in such?

[ydoaPs]

QM though basically puts forward a certain level of uncertainty that exists in quantum systems, so does such also apply to nuclear reactors currently?

There is uncertainty. There is a probability that a neutron will be absorbed(microscopic cross section for absorption[ [called "nuclear cross section" here]) and there is a probability that the neutron will cause fission(microscopic cross section for fission). These depend upon the fuel and the temperature. And the neutron flux is affected by the Maxwell-Boltzman speed distribution of the neutrons. These things are part of the calculations for finding the power output of the reactor.

[swansont]

The number of reactions is so large that the stochastic nature tells you the overall behavior. You won't know which neutron induces a fission in what nucleus, but you can predict the power output, as yourdad has explained.