Uranium-235 decays primarily through alpha decay, where it emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and transforms into thorium-231.
Uranium-238 is fissionable. Its just not what we call fissile, which has the added definition of, when fissioned, producing neutrons that can go on to fission more atoms. Uranium-238 is more correctly called fertile, which means that a neutron can transmute it into another isotope, such as plutonium-239, which is fissionable and fissile.Uranium-235, on the other hand, is both fissionable and fissile.
Radioactive decay of uranium-235 is a process in which the nucleus of a uranium-235 atom transforms into a more stable nucleus by emitting radiation in the form of alpha and beta particles, as well as gamma rays. This decay results in the formation of daughter isotopes and the release of energy.
Uranium 238 is aan alpha particles emitter: halflife 4,468.109 years, energy 4,270 MeV.
When uranium gives off an alpha particle, it undergoes radioactive decay and transforms into a different element. The alpha particle emitted is composed of two protons and two neutrons, equivalent to a helium-4 nucleus. This process helps to stabilize the atomic nucleus by reducing its size and releasing energy.
The possible products of the alpha decay of uranium-238 are thorium-234 and helium-4. During alpha decay, the uranium nucleus releases an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and transforms into thorium-234.
The nucleus is too large to be stable. There is the theory of grouping of nucleons into alpha particles inside the nucleus and, through oscillations of the nucleus, one of these on one end of the nucleus can be repelled with a great enough force to push it out of the nucleus.
Uranium-235 decays primarily through alpha decay, where it emits an alpha particle (helium nucleus) and transforms into thorium-231.
Uranium-238 is fissionable. Its just not what we call fissile, which has the added definition of, when fissioned, producing neutrons that can go on to fission more atoms. Uranium-238 is more correctly called fertile, which means that a neutron can transmute it into another isotope, such as plutonium-239, which is fissionable and fissile.Uranium-235, on the other hand, is both fissionable and fissile.
When a Uranium-238 emits an alpha particle, it loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons. The resulting nucleus, Thorium-234, has 90 protons.
This decay occurs due to the instability of the uranium-238 nucleus, which undergoes alpha decay to achieve a more stable configuration as thorium-234. During alpha decay, a helium nucleus (two protons and two neutrons) is emitted from the uranium-238 nucleus, leading to the transformation into thorium-234.
Radioactive decay of uranium-235 is a process in which the nucleus of a uranium-235 atom transforms into a more stable nucleus by emitting radiation in the form of alpha and beta particles, as well as gamma rays. This decay results in the formation of daughter isotopes and the release of energy.
A neutron is smaller and has no charge, so it is able to penetrate to the nucleus far better than an alpha particle (which is larger in size, and has a charge that is repelled by the nucleus). So the neutron is more able to cause critical instability and fission the nucleus.
Uranium 238 is aan alpha particles emitter: halflife 4,468.109 years, energy 4,270 MeV.
Neutrons don't have an electric charge, so they can easily penetrate the nucleus of Uranium-235 without being repelled by the positive charge of the protons. Alpha particles are helium nuclei consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons and have a positive charge, which makes it harder for them to penetrate the nucleus due to the repulsive forces between the positively charged alpha particle and the positively charged protons in the nucleus.
When uranium gives off an alpha particle, it undergoes radioactive decay and transforms into a different element. The alpha particle emitted is composed of two protons and two neutrons, equivalent to a helium-4 nucleus. This process helps to stabilize the atomic nucleus by reducing its size and releasing energy.
The equation for the alpha decay of 233Pu:94233Pu --> 92229U + 24He2+where the alpha particle is represented as a helium nucleus.Note that 233Pu decays by alpha decay with a probability of only 0.12%. The other 99.88% is Beta+ decay.