Neutron chain reaction
A process in which some of the neutrons released in one fission event cause other fissions to occur. There are three types of chain reactions: (1) Nonsustaining chain reaction--An average of less than one fission is produced by the neutrons released by each previous fission (reactor subcriticality). (2) Sustaining chain reaction--An average of exactly one fission is produced by the neutrons released by each previous fission (reactor criticality). (3) Multiplying chain reaction--An average of more than one fission is produced by the neutrons released by precious fission (reactor supercriticality).
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