Uranium 235 over Polonium 210 in Nuclear Plants?

In summary, the conversation discusses the properties of polonium and its potential use in nuclear plants and bombs. It is revealed that polonium-210, the most radioactive isotope of polonium, is not used in nuclear plants or bombs due to its inability to undergo fission, which is necessary for creating energy. The conversation also clarifies the difference between radioactivity and fissility, stating that while polonium-210 may be highly radioactive, it is not a fissile isotope. The conversation concludes by mentioning the fissile materials used in nuclear reactions.
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I was researching on radioactive elements and found out that polonium is the most radioactive element and the most radioactive isotope of polonium (out of 33!) is polonium 210. So I was wondering why it isn't used in nuclear plants and bombs. I know that if a slow neutron was to hit uranium 235 or plutonium 239, it would cause a fission reaction and one of the main reasons for this is because uranium and plutonium are radioactive and have a high fission probability. But if polonium is more radioactive, shouldn't it produce more energy from a fission reaction and therefore cause much more damage (in the case of a nuclear bomb) and create much more energy (in the case of a nuclear power plant) than uranium-235 or plutonium 239? And if so, why don't they use polonium 210 in nuclear bombs and plants? And if not, why?
Thanks in advance!
 
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Physics-GEEK said:
found out that polonium is the most radioactive element
That statement does not make sense. Every element has isotopes with different lifetimes (some also have stable isotopes). Polonium-210 has a long lifetime compared to many other polonium isotopes.

Nuclear power plants use fission, the splitting of nuclei into two (sometimes three) smaller nuclei. They need isotopes that can undergo fission. Polonium-210 cannot. This has nothing to do with radioactivity.
There is also no large-scale source of Polonium-210.
 
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Ok thanks so much. I never knew that Polonium 210 wasn't a fissile isotope so thanks for clarifying.
 
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Any atom of sufficient size and instability can be made to fission if hit with enough energy. But the goal of using fission to create power is to create a self sustaining reaction. This requires the isotope to be fissile, meaning the isotope already wants to fall apart, you basically just have to touch it to get it going. Something like Po-210, you would put a ton of energy into get it to fission but you wouldn't get much energy out of it.

Fissile materials are U-233, U-235 and Pu-239.
 

1. What is the difference between Uranium 235 and Polonium 210?

Uranium 235 and Polonium 210 are both naturally occurring radioactive elements. However, uranium 235 is the primary fuel used in nuclear reactors due to its ability to easily undergo nuclear fission, while polonium 210 is a byproduct of the decay of uranium and is not used as fuel.

2. How is Uranium 235 used in nuclear plants?

Uranium 235 is used as fuel in nuclear reactors. It undergoes controlled fission reactions, releasing large amounts of energy that are used to generate electricity.

3. What are the risks associated with using Uranium 235 in nuclear plants?

The main risk associated with using Uranium 235 in nuclear plants is the potential for accidents or meltdowns, which can release harmful radiation into the environment. There are also concerns about the long-term storage of nuclear waste produced by the fission reactions.

4. How does the presence of Polonium 210 affect the safety of nuclear plants?

The presence of Polonium 210 in nuclear plants is not a major safety concern. It is a relatively low-level radioactive element and is typically contained within the fuel rods, making it unlikely to be released in the event of an accident. However, proper handling and disposal of nuclear waste containing Polonium 210 is important to prevent any potential health hazards.

5. Can Polonium 210 be used as a replacement for Uranium 235 in nuclear plants?

No, Polonium 210 cannot be used as a replacement for Uranium 235 in nuclear plants. While it is a radioactive element, it does not have the same properties as uranium and is not able to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. Additionally, it is a byproduct of the decay of uranium, so it cannot be used as a primary fuel source.

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