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Is uranium the only element that can be used in nuclear fission?
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What is the only naturally occurring element used for nuclear fission?
Plutonium I think.
In the twentieth century what were two ways nuclear fission happened?
Nuclear fission happens spontaneously in nature. Uranium-235 does this, and is the only commonly occurring natural isotope that does. Nuclear fission can be induced by crashing a neutron into a fissionable atom. Some things other than Uranium-235 are fissionable, notably Uranium-238. Fission has been induced in various experiments. It happens in nuclear reactors and in nuclear bombs.
What elements are made by a nuclear fission reaction?
The only element needed to start nuclear fission is Uranium-235, which is very slightly radioactive but when made into fuel rods and before any use in a reactor can be handled without danger.
Why do they use uranium in power stations?
Because uranium-235 can easily be made to fission in a reactor with a moderator to slow the neutrons down, a chain reaction can be sustained, and heat is generated which can be harnessed for electricity. Uranium is usually used because it is the largest naturally occurring atom. A smaller atom would not split as easily, and a larger atom would first need to be created before it could be split.Also Uranium-235 is the only isotope capable of undergoing fission and supporting a chain reaction of any element on earth that occurs naturally at high enough levels (0.72% of natural Uranium) to make it economically extractable. Other fissionable materials have to be produced in sufficient quantities in "breeder reactors" where the radiation converts certain non-fissionable elements into other fissionable elements through neutron capture. Because uranium is much more common that was believed early in the development of nuclear reactors, it is much more economical to refine naturally occurring uranium (separating the U-235 from U238) than to use breeder reactors to convert non-fissionable isotopes into fissionable ones and then refine the result to produce more nuclear fuel.A very slightly different world (e.g. older) and nuclear energy and weapons might never have been possible at all.
Is uranium the same thing as radium?
No, nuclear energy is due to a phenomenon called the "binding energy" of the atom which every element has and is a result of the strong nuclear force. However releasing this "binding energy" to get heat and thereby do work is not possible in every element.There are two practical ways to release this energy: fission of large massive atoms (e.g. uranium, plutonium) and fusion of small light atoms (e.g. hydrogen). Both fission and fusion have been used in nuclear weapons, only fission has been used in nuclear power plants. The stars use only fusion.While most nuclear power plants operating today use only uranium as fuel, France reprocesses spent fuel and uses both uranium and plutonium as fuel. A few experimental nuclear power plant reactors (e.g. the Integral Fast Breeder) have been worked on that are actually capable of using all the transuranic elements as well as uranium as fuel, so that they generate no long lived waste products.
What is the only naturally occurring element used for nuclear fission?
Plutonium I think.
In the twentieth century what were two ways nuclear fission happened?
Nuclear fission happens spontaneously in nature. Uranium-235 does this, and is the only commonly occurring natural isotope that does. Nuclear fission can be induced by crashing a neutron into a fissionable atom. Some things other than Uranium-235 are fissionable, notably Uranium-238. Fission has been induced in various experiments. It happens in nuclear reactors and in nuclear bombs.
Which element is used for atomic power generation?
uraniumThe only natural element currently used for nuclear fission in reactors is uranium. Natural uranium is a highly energetic substance: one kilogram of it can generate as much energy as 10 tonnes of oil
What elements are made by a nuclear fission reaction?
The only element needed to start nuclear fission is Uranium-235, which is very slightly radioactive but when made into fuel rods and before any use in a reactor can be handled without danger.
What is the direct source of nuclear energy?
In fission reactors, which is the only practicable source of energy at present, it is the fission of the nuclei of uranium and plutonium which produces the energy
What is a fission where does it take place in the sun?
Nuclear fission is the splitting of the nucleus of an element, it only happens to certain ones, most often Uranium 235 but also Plutonium 239. It does not take place in the sun at all, the sun is powered by nuclear fusion which is the joining together of hydrogen nuclei to form helium.
Why nuclear fission is not possible in naturally occurring uranium?
Fission in Uranium would take billions of years when its left to its own devices. Because of radioactive decay, it would either release alpha or beta radiation, or fission. The earth would have to be really old for that to maybe happen. Besides, Only less than 1% of Uranium is U-235, which is the only isotope of uranium that would fission, is found on earth.
Why do they use uranium in power stations?
Because uranium-235 can easily be made to fission in a reactor with a moderator to slow the neutrons down, a chain reaction can be sustained, and heat is generated which can be harnessed for electricity. Uranium is usually used because it is the largest naturally occurring atom. A smaller atom would not split as easily, and a larger atom would first need to be created before it could be split.Also Uranium-235 is the only isotope capable of undergoing fission and supporting a chain reaction of any element on earth that occurs naturally at high enough levels (0.72% of natural Uranium) to make it economically extractable. Other fissionable materials have to be produced in sufficient quantities in "breeder reactors" where the radiation converts certain non-fissionable elements into other fissionable elements through neutron capture. Because uranium is much more common that was believed early in the development of nuclear reactors, it is much more economical to refine naturally occurring uranium (separating the U-235 from U238) than to use breeder reactors to convert non-fissionable isotopes into fissionable ones and then refine the result to produce more nuclear fuel.A very slightly different world (e.g. older) and nuclear energy and weapons might never have been possible at all.
What are two types of nuclear energy?
Two types of nuclear energy are: 1. Uranium, Sorry, only got one, but hoped it helped!!
Why is urainium a non renewable fuel?
Uranium is a non-renewable fuel. The earth has a limited supply of this mineral. Uranium ore is mined, then refined for use in power plants. It can not be put back. The earth is not creating more uranium. As with any non-renewable fuel, we should be concern about the supply. If additional quantities are discovered, the uranium that is known to us, can increase. See related link on abundance of uranium and other minerals.
What element is used in nuclear fuel?
The question should not be, what element, but what isotope. Several easily fissible isotopes are used, such as Uranium-235. But note that the element Uranium as such is not usable - only that specific isotope.
Why is nuclear energy is said to be the fuel of the universe?
The stars are powered by nuclear fusion, so this is widespread. Nuclear fission is more unusual and probably only occurs in certain planets where there is a lot of uranium.
