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The first step is an alpha decay to (guess what!) uranium 235. You can probably take it from there.
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What is the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of uranium 239?
Uranium-239 does NOT decay by alpha decay, it decays only by beta and gammadecay.
What is the alpha decay of plutonium 239?
The daughter isotope of Pu-239 is U-235.
What is the difference between nuclear decay and nuclear fission?
Nuclear decay is any spontaneous process where unstable nuclei release extra energy to arrive at a more stable state. Typical decay processes are Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Some large unstable nuclei (e.g. Plutonium-240) can sometimes decay by spontaneous fission.Nuclear fission is a process where certain large nuclei (e.g. Uranium-235 & Plutonium-239) absorb a neutron and then split into two smaller nuclei and a few free neutrons. Some large unstable nuclei (e.g. Plutonium-240) don't need to be hit by a neutron to fission.Nuclear fusion is a process where small nuclei under unusual conditions of very high temperature and very high pressure combine to form larger nuclei.All three processes above are exothermic.In stars nuclear fusion stops at nickel and iron (further fusion past this would be endothermic). If all we had was the above processes then that would be where the periodic table ended (therefore there could not be nuclear fission as such heavy nuclei could not exist). However stars die, and some die so spectacularly we call them supernovas.When a supernova occurs, an intense shock wave blows all the outer layers of the star away at very high velocity. At these velocities nuclei collide so hard that normally impossible endothermic nuclear fusion reactions occur. The rest of the periodic table is filled here, including many transuranics not found naturally on earth (e.g. Americium, Californium, Berkelium).
What would Americium transmute into if it expelled an alpha particle?
For example americium-241 decay to neptunium-237 and americium-243 decay to neptunium-239.
Are Nuclear wastes non biodegradable?
Actually, they are biodegradeable, sort of. Radioactive materials do decay, or become weaker over time. Eventually they become inert, or non-radioactive. The problem is some radioactive isotopes take tens or even hundreds of thousands or millions of years to decay. The decay rate of a radioactive element is measured in half-lives. After one half-life, half of the radioctivity is gone. Take an element with a half-life of ten years. After ten years, there is half of the radioactivity present. After 20 years, one quarter, after 30 years, one eighth, and so forth. Eventually the level will fall to the point it poses no danger. Plutonium-239 has a half-life of 24,000 years. Uranium-235, used in nuclear reactors, has a half-life of 713,000,000 years.
What is the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of uranium 239?
Uranium-239 does NOT decay by alpha decay, it decays only by beta and gammadecay.
What is the product of alpha decay?
plutonium-239
How is uranium-238 converted to plutonium-239?
Each isotope of plutonium has its own decay scheme. Plutonium-239 is the most widely used isotope, and it undergoes alpha decay into uranium-235 with a half-life of 2.41 x 104 years (24,100 years). A link is provided to the Wikipedia article on plutonium.
To what does plutonium-239 decay when it loses an alpha particle?
Yes, plutonium-239 emits alpha particles by decay.
What is the alpha decay of plutonium 239?
The daughter isotope of Pu-239 is U-235.
How is Plutonium for atomic weapons currently obtained?
Plutonium for nuclear weapons is obtained in special nuclear reactors for plutonium-239.
Why do you get plutonium in nuclear power stations?
Plutonium is a natural byproduct of nuclear fission. Take U-238 and add a neutron, giving you U-239. Then there is beta- decay with a half-life of 23.5 minutes giving you NP-239. Then there is another beta- decay with a half-life of 2.36 days giving you Pu-239. There are other pathways and processes. For more information, please see the Related Link below.
What kind of reactor produces plutonium 239?
Plutonium 239 is obtained in all reactors using uranium as nuclear fuel.
How made it plutonium?
Plutonium is obtained in nuclear reactors:U-238(n,gamma).................U-239(beta)...................Np-239(beta).................Pu-239
How is plutonium madae?
Plutonium is obtained in nuclear reactors:U-238(n,gamma).................U-239(beta)...................Np-239(beta).................Pu-239
Where is plutonium obtained?
Plutonium is obtained in nuclear reactors:U-238(n,gamma).................U-239(beta)...................Np-239(beta).................Pu-239
What does plutonium create?
Plutonium is obtained in nuclear reactors:U-238(n,gamma).................U-239(beta)...................Np-239(beta).................Pu-239
