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To set off a fission reaction (the reaction that occurs in a nuclear reactor), a person must first pump a neutron into a heavy nucleus. So if a neutron is pumped into a uranium or plutonium nucleus capable of undergoing fission, the nucleus splits in two, and releases more neutrons, which hit more nuclei, which in turn send out even more neutrons, thus setting off a chain reaction where every time a neutron hits a nucleus, the nucleus splits in two and sends out more neutrons.

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Does plutonium react with anything?

Plutonium can react with many elements, forming compounds such as oxides, halides, and hydrides. It is highly reactive and can undergo reactions such as oxidation, reduction, and complexation with various ligands. These reactions are important in nuclear processes and research involving plutonium.


What does plutonium react with and wont react with?

Plutonium react with the majority of nonmetals; plutonium doesn't react with noble gases. Plutonium can form alloys with other metals.


Can plutonium mix ti make another element?

- Plutonium can react with other elements to form chemical compounds- Plutonium can be transformed in other elements by nuclear reactions or radioactive decay


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.


Does the plutonium react in nitric acid?

Plutonium easily react with nitric acid.


Why don't the pellets with uranium oxide start to react during the enrichment process?

1. The material for enrichment is the uranium hexafluoride (UF6) not uranium dioxide pellets. 2. For a nuclear fission and and a nuclear chain reaction we need thermal neutrons.


Why would a fusion reactor produce less radioactive waste than a fission reactor?

In my understanding, this is because a fusion reactor reacts deuterium to produce helium, which is not radioactive, whereas a fission uses uranium or plutonium, for example, which may react to form various radioactive isotopes. A fusion reactor may contain small quantities of tritium, in which case a radioactive isotope of hydrogen may be produced, but given that the majority of reactions occurring involve solely the deuterium, there is less radioactive waste produced.


Why is the moderator important in a nuclear reactor?

The moderator is used to slow down the neutrons present in the core of the reactor. Normally the neutrons produced as the nuclear fuel (e.g. uranium) is fissioned are travelling too fast to produce a sustained chain reaction. Some examples of moderators are cadmium, heavy water and graphite.


What happens when you mix uranium and plutonium?

When you mix uranium and plutonium, it can form a nuclear fuel mixture that is used in some types of nuclear reactors. This mixture can enhance the fuel's energy output and efficiency. However, it is important to handle and store this mixture safely due to its radioactive properties.


What elements does plutonium not react with?

Plutonium doesn't react with noble gases. Plutonium form alloys with many other metals.


Uranium doesn't react with what?

Uranium doesn't react with noble gases.


What are some compounds that contain plutonium?

Plutonium combines with oxygen, carbon, and fluorine to form compounds which are used in the nuclear industry, either directly or as intermediates.Plutonium is a reactive metal and can react with the majority of other chemical elements: hydrogen, oxygen, halogens, carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, selenium, boron, phosphorous, silicon, etc