Suppose 3 neutrons are released by an atom of u-235 in the first stage of a fission chain reaction. each of these neutrons has enough energy to cause another fission reaction in another nucleus of u-235, releasing more neutrons. and if all of those 2nd stage neutrons cause other nuclei to fission in a 3rd stage, how many total u-235 atoms will have undergone fission after these 3 stages of the chain reaction? a. 27 b. 9 c. 11 d. 12

“dear sir: it is with great reluctance, i trouble you on a subject, which does not fall within your province; but it is a subject that occasions me more distress, than i have felt, since the commencement of the war; and which loudly demands the most zealous exertions of every person of weight and authority, who is interested in the success of our affairs. i mean the present dreadful situation of the army for want of provisions, and the miserable prospects before us, with respect to futurity. it is more alarming than you will probably conceive, for, to form a just idea, it were necessary to be on the spot. for some days past, there has been little less, than a famine in camp. a part of the army has been a week, without any kind of flesh, and the rest for three or four days. naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been ere this excited by their sufferings, to a general mutiny or dispersion. strong symptoms, however, discontent have appeared in particular instances; and nothing but the most acitive efforts every where can long avert so shocking a catastrophe.” what’s the central idea?