PPolySim OS
For Educators · Fission Chain Reaction

Fission Chain Reaction for a medical isotope

Built for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs. Simulate a medical isotope live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Fission Chain ReactionLive

Controls

Presets

Each fission releases neutrons that can trigger more fissions. The multiplication factor k is how many of those neutrons cause a new fission on average. Below 1 the chain dies out; exactly 1 sustains steady power — a running reactor; above 1 it grows exponentially. Control rods nudge k around 1 to hold a reactor critical.

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Data Inspector

k factor1.000
Generation0
Statecritical (steady)

Governing equation

Reading this result: k is essentially 1: on average one neutron per fission triggers the next, a self-sustaining steady chain — a running reactor.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this good for educators?
Yes — this version of "Fission Chain Reaction for a medical isotope" is framed for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs.
Do I need to install anything?
No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.