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What is the only naturally occurring element used for nuclear fission?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Plutonium I think.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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What is the naturally occurring actinide that is used in nuclear reactors?
We look to the naturally occurring element uranium as a nuclear fuel.
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 the properties of uranium?
Chemical properties: All of its isotopes are radioactive. It has a wide range of oxidation states. It is flammable and pyrophoric when finely divided. Physical properties: It is silvery black in color. It is the only element having naturally occurring isotopes than can support a nuclear fission chain reaction.
Is used in nuclear fission?
all you need in nuclear fission is a large element (235Uranium) and a neutron, the neutron goes into the Uranium causeing it to split into smaller parts grapes.
The element most commonly used as a fuel in nuclear fission reaction is?
Uranium
What is the naturally occurring actinide that is used in nuclear reactors?
We look to the naturally occurring element uranium as a nuclear fuel.
What element is used in nuclear fission and is radioactive but is not uranium?
We can use plutonium in nuclear fission devices.
Where is fission occurring today?
In every nuclear reactor that is operating
Where do nuclear fission and nuclear fission reactions occur naturally?
Fusion ocurs in the stars including our sun. I don't know of fission occurring naturally anywhere, but there is evidence it once did in a few places on earth a long time ago. At that time there would have been more U-235 which has now reduced by decay. It may occur elsewhere in the universe in planets like earth, but we have no way of knowing this. Natural nuclear fission: Oklo - please see the related link, below
What element is used in nuclear fission and is radioactive?
Uranium
What is the hydrogen to helium reaction that is occurring inside the sun called?
nuclear fission
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 technetium used for atomic bombs?
Technetium is not a naturally occurring element like uranium or plutonium but produced as a result of nuclear transformations, typically in a nuclear reactor. It has never been used in the making of nuclear weapons.
What are the properties of uranium?
Chemical properties: All of its isotopes are radioactive. It has a wide range of oxidation states. It is flammable and pyrophoric when finely divided. Physical properties: It is silvery black in color. It is the only element having naturally occurring isotopes than can support a nuclear fission chain reaction.
What element is needed to make a nuclear weapon?
Uranium makes for an excellent element for nuclear fission. Hydrogen is most commonly used for nuclear fusion.
What kind of change leads to the creation of an entirely different element?
Nuclear fusion or nuclear fission.
What is the process where in a nuclear reactions of atom are being transformed into atoms of simple element?
nuclear fission
