Round 13: Tossup 3

A substance’s ability to undergo this process is roughly proportional to “Z-squared over A.” The reproduction factor and resonance escape probability appear in Fermi’s four-factor formula describing this process. This process is analogized to a water droplet splitting down the middle in the liquid drop model. Lise Meitner (“LEE-zuh MIGHT-ner”), who co-discovered this process, (10[1])was snubbed from the Nobel Prize awarded to Otto Hahn. Graphite control rods moderate this process by emitting neutrons. A chain reaction of this process occurs at the critical mass for uranium-235. For 10 points, name this process in which a heavy nucleus splits into smaller ones, contrasted with fusion. ■END■

ANSWER: nuclear fission [accept fissionability; reject “nuclear fusion”]
<MIT A, Physics> | Packet G
= Average correct buzzpoint

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Buzzes

PlayerTeamOpponentBuzzpointValue
Alex FormanCornell DRIT A5110

Summary

TournamentEditionMatchHeardConv. %Neg %Avg. Buzz
Northern CaliforniaMain4100%0%51.50
Southern CaliforniaMain7100%29%60.57
Eastern Canada (1)Main4100%50%77.50
Eastern Canada (2)Main9100%0%66.00
FloridaMain4100%50%88.25
Great LakesMain11100%27%69.55
Lower Mid-AtlanticMain9100%0%73.11
Upper Mid-AtlanticMain9100%11%72.00
MidwestMain9100%0%59.00
NorthMain4100%25%76.50
PacificMain8100%13%64.63
South CentralMain6100%0%69.33
SoutheastMain12100%8%70.83
Upstate NYMain1100%0%51.00
UK (North)UK5100%20%65.40
UK (South)UK8100%25%61.63