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brandy
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pros and cons of using uranium 235 or plutonium 239 in an atomic bomb?
brandy said:oops i meant to say uranium 234
vanesch said:what are you supposed to do with U-234 ?
brandy said:put it in an atomic bomb?
what do u mean?
brandy said:yes i meant to say u-235.
Uranium and plutonium are both elements found on the periodic table. The main difference between the two is their atomic structure. Uranium has 92 protons and plutonium has 94 protons. This difference in atomic structure leads to differences in their physical and chemical properties.
Uranium is the most commonly used fuel in nuclear reactors. It is more abundant in nature and easier to extract than plutonium. Additionally, uranium undergoes a nuclear reaction called fission, which releases energy, making it an efficient fuel for reactors.
Uranium can be converted into plutonium through a process called nuclear transmutation. In this process, uranium is bombarded with neutrons in a nuclear reactor, causing some of the uranium atoms to absorb the neutrons and become unstable. These unstable atoms then undergo a series of radioactive decays, eventually becoming plutonium.
Both uranium and plutonium are radioactive elements, meaning they emit radiation. Exposure to high levels of radiation can be harmful to living organisms, causing damage to cells and potentially leading to cancer. Additionally, both can be used to create nuclear weapons, which poses a threat of nuclear warfare.
Yes, plutonium can be used as a substitute for uranium in nuclear reactors. In fact, many countries use a mix of both uranium and plutonium in their nuclear fuel. However, plutonium is more expensive to produce and handle, and it also poses additional safety and security concerns due to its highly radioactive nature.