Alpha particles as a fission product?

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SUMMARY

Alpha decay is not a primary mode of decay for fission products, which predominantly undergo gamma and beta emissions. Fission products, with masses peaking around 90 and 140 amu, primarily decay through these emissions due to the stability provided by nuclear and Coulomb forces. Fissile nuclides such as U-233, U-235, and Pu-239 can absorb neutrons leading to fission or decay by gamma radiation, with U-236 specifically decaying by alpha emission to Th-232. The discussion highlights the significance of neutron absorption and its effects on nuclear stability.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of nuclear physics concepts, particularly fission and decay processes.
  • Familiarity with isotopes such as U-233, U-235, Pu-239, and Th-232.
  • Knowledge of nuclear forces, including nuclear and Coulomb forces.
  • Experience with analyzing nuclear decay charts, such as those provided by the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC).
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms of nuclear fission and the role of neutron absorption in fissile materials.
  • Study the decay pathways of specific isotopes, focusing on U-236 and its alpha decay to Th-232.
  • Explore the implications of delayed neutron emission in fission products.
  • Investigate the relationship between nuclear forces and the stability of fission products.
USEFUL FOR

Nuclear physicists, researchers in nuclear engineering, and students studying nuclear decay processes will benefit from this discussion.

kilele
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Hello. Why isn't there alpha decay in fission reaction or fission fragments evolution ? is there only gamma and betas?
 
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Transactinides do decay by alpha or beta decay, and some decay by spontaneous fission.

Fission products have significantly reduced masses peaked around 90 and 140 amu, so they most decay by gamma or beta emission, and occassionally neutron emission (delayed neutrons). The absorption of a neutron (by a fissile nuclide like U-233, U-235 or Pu-239) usually leads to a distortion of the nucleus resulting in fission. However a fissile nucleus can absorb a neutron and not fission, but decay by gamma radiation, and subsequently alpha decay. U-236 decays by alpha emission to Th-232.

http://www.nndc.bnl.gov/chart/reCenter.jsp?z=92&n=144 (select Zoom 1 if the details don't appear)
 
Astronuc said:
Fission products have significantly reduced masses peaked around 90 and 140 amu, so they most decay by gamma or beta emission, and occassionally neutron emission (delayed neutrons).

Thanks Astronuc didnt know about this chart of nuclides.
so why they most decay by gamma or beta emission? could you provide some explanation based maybe on nuclear and coulomb forces?
 

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