NukeWorker Forum

Reference, Questions and Help => Nuke Q&A => Topic started by: UncaBuffalo on Jan 14, 2004, 11:20

Title: "Mae West Curve"
Post by: UncaBuffalo on Jan 14, 2004, 11:20

Can someone tell me the real name of the thumb-rule that says fission products tend to be more common with atomic weights around 90 (Xenon, etc) and 130 (Iodine, Cesium, etc).

I have always thought it was called the "Mae West Curve", but am drawing a blank when I try to do a web search.

Thanks!

Title: Re: "Mae West Curve"
Post by: Roll Tide on Jan 14, 2004, 11:37

The fission product yield varies with parent nuclide of concern. U-235 does have the characteristics you have stated. This may be useful, though I found parts of the site too general and others beyond the scope.

http://t2.lanl.gov/tour/sch007.html  (http://t2.lanl.gov/tour/sch007.html)
 http://t2.lanl.gov/publications/publications.html (http://t2.lanl.gov/publications/publications.html)

Title: Re: "Mae West Curve"
Post by: UncaBuffalo on Jan 15, 2004, 12:14

Thanks for the help!

 + Karma!

Title: Re: "Mae West Curve"
Post by: kwicslvr on Jan 15, 2004, 06:04

I believe it is called the Fission Yield Curve for U-235

Title: Re: "Mae West Curve"
Post by: astronuke on Jan 15, 2004, 01:01

When providing training for mixed gender groups, I used the more politically correct term for the curve: the two humped camel curve. 

Title: Re: "Mae West Curve"
Post by: moke on Jan 15, 2004, 04:14

As you now know the two Fission Product yield from thermal fission of U-235 are that of Krypton-90 and Iodine 137 that represent the nipples indicating the highest yeild during the fission process.

Kr-90 decays to the nasty 2.2 MEV Sr/Y-90 component and the Iodine includes the 662 Kev peak representing Cs-137.

May West reminds some of San Onofre Two and Three! Still standing tall and firm! ::)

Moke

Title: Re: "Mae West Curve"
Post by: DrNucleus on Feb 10, 2005, 04:07

Yeah, now how many of us (besides this old fart) remember Mae West? She said, 'I used to be Snow White but then I drifted."

Guess we can call it the Dolly Parton or Pam Anderson curve now. Maybe not here in CA where everything is politically correct.

Be well and choose to be happy,
Ellsworth Weaver