The most important isotopes for nuclear reactors are:
- fissile isotopes: U-233, U-235, Pu-239, Pu-241
- fertile isotopes: Th-232, U-238
Nuclear energy appears as heat in a nuclear reactor. It comes from the fission of uranium or plutonium
Though both enriched uranium and plutonium can be used, the most common in enriched Uranium-235. The waste that comes from the reaction is a mix of elements (uranium, plutonium, etc) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power
The primary materials used as fuels in nuclear reactors are enriched uranium and plutonium. Enriched uranium is the most common fuel used, while plutonium is often formed as a byproduct during nuclear fission. Other potential fuel materials include thorium and mixed oxides (MOX) fuel, which combine uranium and plutonium.
in reactors: yellowcake, a uranium oxide; after that probably metallic uraniumin stars: ordinary hydrogen; after that helium
Uranium-235 and plutonium-239 are the most common actinide fuels used in nuclear reactors as they are fissile and undergo nuclear fission reactions efficiently.
Two common metals used as nuclear fuels are uranium and plutonium. Uranium is the most widely used fuel in nuclear reactors, while plutonium is used as a fuel in some types of reactors, such as fast breeder reactors.
Nuclear fuels used in nuclear reactors are typically uranium or plutonium isotopes. These isotopes undergo nuclear fission, releasing energy in the form of heat that is used to generate electricity. The most common nuclear fuel is uranium-235, which is enriched to increase its concentration of fissile isotopes.
No, nuclear chain reactions can happen in several types of fissile materials, not just uranium. Other examples include plutonium and thorium. These materials can undergo fission reactions and sustain a self-sustaining chain reaction.
Fissile fuel primarily comes from uranium and plutonium, which are materials capable of sustaining a nuclear fission chain reaction. Uranium is mined from the earth, with the most common isotope being uranium-235, while plutonium can be generated in nuclear reactors from uranium-238. These materials undergo processing and enrichment to increase their concentration of fissile isotopes, making them suitable for use in nuclear reactors and weapons. Other fissile materials can also be derived from reprocessed spent nuclear fuel.
The most common plutonium isotope is plutonium 239.
Uranium is the most common, though thorium will have great use in the future. The early reactors were designed to produce maximum quantities of Uranium and Plutonium for weapons. The electrical power was almost a bye product.
Common elements used in nuclear reactions include uranium, plutonium, and thorium. These elements have isotopes that are capable of undergoing nuclear fission or fusion, releasing energy in the process. Neutrons are typically used to initiate the reactions by bombarding the nucleus of the target element.