Definition of the word chain reaction

The term "chain reaction" was first coined by the Hungarian-American physicist Leo Szilard in 1933. Szilard, who was working on nuclear fission at the time, used the phrase to describe the process by which a single atomic nucleus, upon splitting, releases energy that goes on to split more nuclei, leading to a self-sustaining and exponential release of energy. Essentially, a chain reaction is a series of consecutive events that triggers subsequent events of a similar kind, forming an uninterrupted chain. In the context of nuclear energy, a chain reaction can be used to generate massive amounts of power, but it also poses significant risks as any sudden surge or uncontrolled reaction can lead to catastrophic consequences, like the infamous Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters.