This is the formidable energy of the nuclear fission.
Either highly enriched uranium-235 or reactor produced plutonium.
Uranium-235 and plutonium-239 were the two radioactive elements chosen for the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The atomic number of plutonium (Pu) is 94. The atomic weight of Pu is approximately 244 grams per mole. See the Web Links and the Related Questions to the left of this answer for a periodic table and more information about this element.
Uranium and plutonium are very heavy metals belonging to the element category actinide encompassing the 15 metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers from 89 to 103, actinium through lawrencium. Three uranium isotopes occur in nature versus only trace amounts of one isotope of plutonium. Of course the nuclear, chemical, physical and toxicological properties of uranium and plutonium are very different.
The plutonium isotope with 145 neutrons is plutonium-242 (Pu-242). This isotope has 97 protons (since all plutonium isotopes have 94 protons) and a total atomic mass of approximately 242 atomic mass units.
- the energy released from enriched uranium is higher compared to natural uranium- the amount of uranium needed for a reactor is lower- research reactors work only with enriched uranium- atomic bombs have highly enriched uranium or plutonium
Either highly enriched uranium-235 or reactor produced plutonium.
The atomic radii of uranium and plutonium are identical.
Nuclear fission is the process of splitting an atomic nucleus, typically of uranium or plutonium, in a nuclear reactor to release energy. This process releases a large amount of heat that is used to generate electricity.
Plutonium generally has a lower atomic mass compared to uranium because it has fewer protons and neutrons in its nucleus. Plutonium isotopes tend to have a smaller number of nucleons overall compared to most uranium isotopes, resulting in a lower atomic mass.
Hiroshima bomb: uranium Nagasaki bomb: plutonium
The atomic radii (empirical) of plutonium and uranium are identical - 175 pm.
uranium or plutonium
Uranium and plutonium
Uranium enrichment plantsPrototype plutonium production reactor & design of plutonium production reactors used in Hanford, WA
Uranium &Plutonium
Uranium-235 and plutonium-239 were the two radioactive elements chosen for the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.