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I assume you mean reactions under neutron irradiation as in a reactor core. The following passage on neutron activation is taken from Wikipedia and describes the general processes. Many different materials are affected in different ways, to learn about particular ones you will need a more detailed handbook. Some topics can be accessed by going to the Wikipedia entry for Neutron Activation. Neutron activation is the process in which neutron radiation induces radioactivity in materials, and occurs when atomic nuclei capture free neutrons, becoming heavier and entering excited states. The excited nucleus often decays immediately by emitting particles such as neutrons, protons, or alpha particles. The neutron capture, even after any immediate decay, often results in the formation an unstable activation product. Such radioactive nuclei can exhibit half-lives ranging from fractions of a second to many years. In places with high neutron fluxes, such as nuclear reactor cores, neutron activation contributes to material erosion and/or embrittlement, and the materials themselves must be disposed of as low-level radioactive waste. Some materials are more subject to neutron activation than others, so a suitably chosen low-activation material can significantly reduce these problems.
The lasting radiation from a nuclear weapon is in large part due to the neutron activation of the bomb itself and the surrounding material. Neutron activation also has a practical use. Neutron activation analysis is one of the most sensitive and accurate methods of trace element analysis. It requires no sample preparation or solubilization and can therefore be applied to objects that need to be kept intact such as a valuable piece of art. Although the activation induces radioactivity in the object, its level is typically low and its lifetime may be short, so that its effects have soon disappeared. In this sense, neutron activation is a non-destructive analysis method.
What else can I help you with?
What are facts and a fib about how radioactive materials are used to produce nuclear energy?
Fact: Radioactive materials such as uranium are used as fuel in nuclear reactors to produce nuclear energy through a process called nuclear fission, where atoms are split to release energy. Fib: Radioactive materials used in nuclear energy production can explode like a nuclear bomb.
What are common uses of nuclear energy?
Most uses include energy and weapons although some nuclear energy is used for materials.
How is uranium made in to energy we can use?
Uranium-235 react with thermal neutrons in a nuclear reaction called fission. The enormous energy released by the nuclear fission can be transformed in electricity and heat in nuclear reactors.
What energy can be found in a nuclear bomb?
Electrical energy, in the triggering and fuzing mechanisms. Chemical energy, in the form of conventional explosives used to trigger the chain reaction. Nuclear energy, in the form of fissionable or fusable nuclear materials.
What is nuclear chemistry short answer?
Nuclear chemistry study nuclear materials and elements, isotopes, chemical processes involved in nuclear energy, some radioactivity applications, etc.
List two examples of how chemical or nuclear energy can be transformed?
Chemical energy stored in wood can be transformed into heat and light energy by burning it in a fire. Nuclear energy stored in radioactive materials can be transformed into heat and electricity through nuclear fission reactions in a nuclear power plant.
What are the raw materials neeeded for nuclear energy?
Uranium mined as an ore is the source of the fuel.
Is nuclear energy flammable?
Nuclear energy is not flammable because it is produced from the process of fission in a controlled nuclear reactor, which does not involve combustion like burning a fuel. However, the materials used in nuclear reactors can be flammable if they come into contact with oxygen and ignite.
How are chemical potential energy and nuclear energy different?
Chemical energy arises through reactions between atoms of different materials, whilst nuclear energy arises through reactions in the nucleus of the atoms. In chemical reactions the nuclei are not affected or changed.
What businesses use nuclear energy?
Nuclear fission refers to the splitting of an atomic nucleus. It occurs naturally and can be induced in order to release energy. Nuclear fission provides the energy released by nuclear weapons as well as the energy used to produce energy at nuclear power plants.
Why do you use uranium and plutonium in the reactor?
Uranium and plutonium are used in reactors because they are fissile materials that can undergo nuclear fission, releasing a large amount of energy. This energy is harnessed to generate electricity in nuclear power plants.
What is the definition of the DOE Nuclear Weapons Complex?
All the facilities used by the US to prepare the materials for nuclear weapons, build nuclear weapons, design and test new nuclear weapons. This is all lead by the Department Of Energy.
