Chain reaction

A chain reaction is a sequence of reactions where a reactive product or biproduct causes more additional reactions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Examples:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• The neutron-fission chain reaction: a neutron plus a fissionable atom causes a fission resulting in a larger number of neutrons than was consumed in the initial reaction.
• Chemical reactions, where a product of a reaction is itself a reactive particle which can cause more similar reactions. For example, every step of H₂ + Cl₂ chain reaction consumes one molecule of H₂ or Cl₂, one free radical H· or Cl· producing one HCl molecule and another free radical.
• Electron avalanche process: Collisions of free electrons in a strong electric field forming "new" electrons to undergo the same process in successive cycles.
 
Chain reaction: See also ►