The Physics Lab

Interactive demonstrations of the physics behind the Chernobyl disaster.

Void Coefficient

See how steam formation adds positive reactivity in the RBMK design.

Xenon-135 Poisoning

Watch xenon build up after a power drop and force rod withdrawal.

Control Rod Displacer

Animated cross-section showing the fatal graphite displacer flaw.

Positive Scram Effect

Press AZ-5 and see why emergency shutdown initially increased power.

Prompt Criticality

Compare delayed vs prompt supercritical neutron population curves.

Doppler Broadening

Explore fuel temperature feedback, the primary stabilizing effect.

RBMK vs PWR

See how the same perturbation produces opposite responses in each reactor type.

What-If Scenarios

Explore how different design choices or operator decisions could have changed the outcome.

No Graphite Displacers

design

What if control rods had no graphite tips?

Try in Operator Mode

Negative Void Coefficient

design

What if the RBMK behaved like a Western PWR?

Try in Operator Mode

Fast Rod Insertion (2s)

design

What if control rods inserted in 2 seconds instead of 18?

Try in Operator Mode

Day Shift (No Xenon)

procedure

What if the test ran as originally scheduled?

Try in Operator Mode

ORM Enforced at 15

procedure

What if the ORM minimum was automatically enforced?

Try in Operator Mode

ECCS Connected

procedure

What if emergency cooling was never disconnected?

Try in Operator Mode

Shutdown at 30 MWt

procedure

What if operators followed procedures after the power drop?

Try in Operator Mode