Why is it useful to create neptunium by bombardind uranium with protons even though neptunium disintegrates in about two days?

Answer 1

The bombardment of uranium is with neutrons not protons.
Neptunium has many isotopes; for example 237Np has a half life of 2,14.106 years.
237Np will be used by United States as nuclear weapon.
Other possible applications: precursor for the preparation of plutonium isotopes Pu-236 and Pu-238, isotopic tracer, in neutrons detectors.

Answer 2

Neptunium is not a very important element, but: - it is a precursor of plutonoim 238, an isotope with important applications - neptunium was used in some devices to detect neutrons - it is possible to use neptunium in nuclear weapons and nuclear power reactors (now, no applications, but in the future ?)

Answer 3

- intermediate in the preparation of plutonium 238

- in the instruments for the detection of high energy neutrons

- possible use in the future as material for nuclear weapons

- possible use in the future as nuclear fuel

Answer 4

Half-life of the isotope 236Np: 1,54.105 years.

Half-life of the isotope 237Np: 2,144.106 years.

Neptunium can be used as nuclear fuel or as nuclear explosive; also is used to detect a flux of high energy neutrons.

Answer 5

Isotopes of neptunium created by protons bombarding are Np-235 (half life, 400 days) and Np-236 (half life, 154 000 years).
And independently of the half lives of isotopes the study of nuclear reactions is important for the progress of science and technology.

Answer 6

The value two days is not correct. See the link.

Answer 7

When Neptunium falls apart it is used in nucleic reactors and smoke detectors.

Answer 8

the neutron being unstable and emitting radioactive particles