Chernobyl Visually Explained

Chernobyl Accident - the Physics Clearly Explained: a simulation and visualization of the Chernobyl disaster, breaking down the physics behind the accident. It explains nuclear fission, focusing on Uranium-235 and how reactors maintain a controlled chain reaction using control rods and moderators like graphite. The RBMK reactor’s dangerous positive void coefficient is highlighted, showing how overheating increases reactivity.

The simulation shows the events leading to the disaster: a safety test reduced power, causing Xenon-135 buildup and a power drop. Operators attempted to raise power by removing control rods, but reactivity surged when they pressed the SCRAM (AZ-5) button due to a design flaw with graphite tips. This led to the reactor’s explosion.

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Scenes from the amazing HBO Chernobyl series

0:00 Introduction
0:32 Basic Fission
2:57 Control Rods
4:03 Water
5:58 Xenon135
7:05 Moderation
9:04 Event 1: Reactor normal
10:02 Event 2: Power Reduction
10:55 Event 3: Power drop
11:46 Event 4: Power up attempted
12:44 Event 5: Test starts
13:33 Event 6: SCRAM