⏰ when
When was the first controlled chain reaction achieved?
PhysicsNuclear physics
Quick Answer
On 2 December 1942, Enrico Fermi’s team achieved the first controlled nuclear chain reaction in Chicago.
The Full Story
On 2 December 1942, Enrico Fermi and his team achieved the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction in Chicago Pile-1. The reactor was built under the stands of the University of Chicago’s Stagg Field. This experiment showed that nuclear fission could be controlled and sustained, paving the way for nuclear power and later reactor technology. It was a pivotal moment in physics and engineering.
Key Facts
1.Date: 2 December 1942
2.Reactor: Chicago Pile-1
3.Led by Enrico Fermi
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The first reactor didn’t look like a power plant—it was a pile under a stadium."