this looks like it will be interesting
“Every atom of Uranium is a bullet...”
Hollywood hogwash.
When U-235 undergoes fission (by absorbing a low energy thermal neutron), it splits into 2 new atoms (called fission products) and releases large amounts of energy (binding energy) and, on average, 2.08 new thermal or fast neutrons that go on to possibly cause another fission event. (or could be absorbed by a poison or even escape the core and contribute to net loses.)
It’s the the radiation energy such as alphas, betas, gammas and neutrons that act like “bullets” and do damage to organic cells.
So the 92 electrons, 92 protons, and 143 neutrons (atoms) that make up Uranium 235 don’t all act like “bullets”.
To be fair though, if you were attempting to explain the level of danger that an incident (such as this one created) to an oblivious person of authority that’s attempting to downplay it...... which description is going to get your point across better?
Regardless, pretty crazy stuff.
If it is really accurate to what happened and based on truth, it will be VERY interesting. Not for the squeamish, but very interesting.Might be interesting.