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How does an element change into another element in a nuclear reactor?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
In a nuclear reactor elements do not simply change into other elements fission occurs and they are split into two smaller nuclei. For example: Uranium when bombarded with a neutron splits into two smaller nuclei; Barium and Krypton. When this happens energy is release in the form of heat and this heat heats water turning it into steam and drives turbines creating electricity.
Elements only really "change" into other elements in fusion reactions when two smaller nuclei come together to form a larger element. However this fusion requires extremely high temperatures and as such only takes place in the centre of the sun.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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How does an isotope of an element change during nuclear decay?
During nuclear decay, radioisotopes of one element can change into one or more isotopes of a different element altogether.
All nuclear reactions due to nuclear transmutation?
Nuclear reactions may or may not involve nuclear transmutation. We need to split hairs here to arrive at the correct answer, and the answer involves the definition of the word transmutation. We sometimes think of transmutation as the changing of one element to another. Fission and fusion reactions do this, and many kinds of radioactive decay also convert one element into another. But there are some kinds of nuclear reactions that do not change an atom from one element to another, but instead change it from one isotope of a given element into another isotope of that element. There are a number of examples of this, and one is where isotopes of a given element absorb a neutron and become another isotope of that element. A given nucleus incorporates the neutron into its nuclear arrangement and the next heavier isotope of that element is created. If a "strict" definition of transmutation is used where it means a nuclear reaction that changes one element into another, then no, this does not always happen as illustrated above with the example of neutron absorption. If a more general interpretation of the term is used where we say that the nucleus transmutes meaning changes configuration, then yes, nuclear reactions involve nuclear transmutation.
What effect produced by changing the number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom?
What differentiates one element from another (like Hydrogen from Helium) is the number of protons in the nucleus. When protons are added (as happens in nuclear fusion) or subtracted (nuclear fission), the element transmutes into another element. When the number of Protons are changed, both the Electrons and Neutron (numbers) will change too. Protons are paired with electrons. Protons + Electrons = Neutrons, thus reinforcing that both the Electrons and Neutrons will change when the number of Protons has.
In nature one element can change to another by what process?
Transmutation is the process by which one element changes into another. This can only be done with a nuclear reaction, but alchemists once believed it might be possible, for example, to transmute lead into gold. They tried many bizarre things, but were never successful. Only nuclear reactions, such as fusion, fission, radioactive decay, etc, can induce a transmutation
What property must be change to change an element into another element?
to make one element a different element, all you need to do is have a different number of protons
Can gold be changed into another element?
An element can only change if the number of protons in its nucleus changes. It is possible to make one kind of element into another, but all these processes can be accomplished only by nuclear means. Gold can be changed into another element in a physics lab, but only with the use of a nuclear reactor or an accelerator of some kind. Any element can be changed into another element, but only by nuclear means.
What do you call the change of one chemical element into another through nuclear reaction?
answer TRANSMUTATION
Why is a transmutation calssified as a nuclear reaction?
because that's what it takes to change one element to another, a change to the nucleus.
In which process is an element of matter changed into a completely different element?
It's called transmutation. There are two types of transmutation. Natural transmutation is when an element naturally changes into another element. Artificial transmutation is when an element is forced to change into another element, usually done in a laboratory setting.
The change of one chemical element into another from nuclear fusion?
Hydrogen (as isotopes deuterium and tritium) would change into helium
Change of one element into another is called what?
transmutation, neutrons
In physics what name is given to the change of one chemical element into another through nuclear reaction?
transmutation
What does transmutation involve?
Transmutation of elements refers to the conversion of one chemical element into another. This occurs in nuclear reactions or through radioactive decay.
How does an isotope of an element change during nuclear decay?
During nuclear decay, radioisotopes of one element can change into one or more isotopes of a different element altogether.
All nuclear reactions due to nuclear transmutation?
Nuclear reactions may or may not involve nuclear transmutation. We need to split hairs here to arrive at the correct answer, and the answer involves the definition of the word transmutation. We sometimes think of transmutation as the changing of one element to another. Fission and fusion reactions do this, and many kinds of radioactive decay also convert one element into another. But there are some kinds of nuclear reactions that do not change an atom from one element to another, but instead change it from one isotope of a given element into another isotope of that element. There are a number of examples of this, and one is where isotopes of a given element absorb a neutron and become another isotope of that element. A given nucleus incorporates the neutron into its nuclear arrangement and the next heavier isotope of that element is created. If a "strict" definition of transmutation is used where it means a nuclear reaction that changes one element into another, then no, this does not always happen as illustrated above with the example of neutron absorption. If a more general interpretation of the term is used where we say that the nucleus transmutes meaning changes configuration, then yes, nuclear reactions involve nuclear transmutation.
Can atoms change back from one another?
In a nuclear decay sequence it is possible for heavier atoms to decay to a lighter element.
How did nuclear reactor change the world in 1942?
The first reactor in 1942 showed that it would work, and larger ones were built at Hanford Wa to produce plutonium for the A-bomb
