What is the Role of U-235 in Nuclear Fission?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the role of U-235 in nuclear fission, with participants initially engaging in a humorous exchange about the name similarity between U-235 and German U-boats. The conversation shifts to technical aspects of U-235 and its relation to other isotopes in the context of nuclear reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants humorously note the confusion between U-235 and German U-boats, with claims about the historical U-235 submarine.
  • One participant suggests that if U-235 were to collide with U-233, they could theoretically reach critical mass.
  • Another participant introduces the idea that involving U-238 could lead to the formation of plutonium-239 (Pu-239).
  • A later reply critiques the accuracy of a video that incorrectly associates the Fat Man bomb with U-235 instead of plutonium-239.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the humorous misinterpretation of U-235 as a U-boat, but there are competing views regarding the technical implications of U-235's interactions with other isotopes, and the accuracy of representations in media remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on historical context and assumptions about nuclear interactions that are not fully explored or verified within the discussion.

KingGambit
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Today I learned that U 235 is not a German Uboat

 
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Neither is U2

:DD

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Actually U-235 was an U-boat. It sank twice.
 
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Borek said:
Actually U-235 was an U-boat. It sank twice.
Wow, Sir. You are a real historian.
 
Borek said:
It sank twice.
Story, please? (It was sunk by its own navy, I know.)
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Story, please? (It was sunk by its own navy, I know.)

Just from wiki: After training with the 5th U-boat Flotilla at Kiel, U-235 was transferred to the 22nd flotilla on 29 October 1943, following her sinking in May by US bombs in Kiel. She had been raised, repaired and returned to service. She was reassigned to the 31st U-boat Flotilla on 2 April 1945, less than two weeks before her second sinking.
 
Anyone can google, @Vanadium 50 !
It wasn't a very successful boat :
1619110234400.png


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So if U-235 accidentally collided with U-233 they could have reached critical mass!

And if U-238 had been involved as well this would have become the (P)U-239 ☢️
 
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KingGambit said:
Today I learned that U 235 is not a German Uboat


Unfortunately for the video's accuracy sake, the image of the bomb in the video is the Fat Man bomb, which was ^{239}\mathrm{Pu} based (not ^{235}\mathrm{U}).
 

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