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Because these are the only two elements (isotopes: Uranium 235, plutonium 239 and plutonium 241, fissile with thermal neutrons) that have fissile isotopes which can sustain a chain reaction in conjunction with a moderator, that is in a so called thermal reactor like PWR or BWR.
Uranium 238 is fissile with fast neutrons though it will not sustain a chain reaction by itself, and would only be a significant source of power in a fast reactor. In a thermal reactor it captures neutrons and forms Pu-239 which then does add to the reactor's fissile fuel.
Some other transuranic elements have fissile isotopes but they are not used as it is much easier and cheaper to use uranium produced from uranium ore.
Also thorium can be used in nuclear reactors as a fertile isotope.
What else can I help you with?
Isotope of uranium used in nuclear reactors?
Uranium 235 is the most important isotope of uranium; it is a fissionable isotope used in HWR, PWR, BWR, research reactors and other types of reactors. But it is rare, only 0.72% of natural Uranium is this isotope.The more plentiful Uranium 238 isotope is only fertile not fissionable; it can only be used in fast reactors to breed Plutonium, which is fissionable. Isotopes of plutonium 239Pu and 241Pu are highly fissionable and importants for nuclear fuels.
Is uranium the only element that can be used in nuclear fission?
No, uranium is not the only element that can be used in nuclear fission. Other elements like plutonium and thorium can also undergo nuclear fission reactions. Uranium-235 is the most commonly used isotope, but plutonium-239 and thorium-232 can also sustain fission reactions in certain nuclear reactors.
What is the only naturally occurring element used for nuclear fission?
Uranium is the only naturally occurring element used for nuclear fission in commercial nuclear reactors. It is typically found in two isotopes, uranium-235 and uranium-238, with uranium-235 being the primary isotope used for nuclear fission reactions.
What are the difference between plutonium and uranium?
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.
Is plutonium an alloy?
No, plutonium is not mined. Plutonium can be found accompanying uranium minerals but only in insignificant traces. Plutonium is obtained as an industrial product in nuclear reactors.
Is plutonium the result of of the alpha decay of uranium?
Yes, plutonium is typically formed as a result of the alpha decay of uranium in nuclear reactors or in nuclear weapons. It can also be produced artificially in nuclear reactors by bombarding uranium-238 with neutrons.
Why was uranium used for nuclear war?
Its one of only 2 elements that have fissile isotopes, the other is plutonium which must be manufactured from uranium in reactors.
Isotope of uranium used in nuclear reactors?
Uranium 235 is the most important isotope of uranium; it is a fissionable isotope used in HWR, PWR, BWR, research reactors and other types of reactors. But it is rare, only 0.72% of natural Uranium is this isotope.The more plentiful Uranium 238 isotope is only fertile not fissionable; it can only be used in fast reactors to breed Plutonium, which is fissionable. Isotopes of plutonium 239Pu and 241Pu are highly fissionable and importants for nuclear fuels.
Where plutonium foun d?
Plutonium is found in the nature only as ultra-traces accompanying uranium minerals. Plutonium is obtained in industrial quantities in the nuclear reactors technology, by reprocessing of the burned nuclear fuels.
Is plutonium produced only in breeder reactors?
No, plutonium is obtained in all the types of nuclear reactors.
Is uranium the only element that can be used in nuclear fission?
No, uranium is not the only element that can be used in nuclear fission. Other elements like plutonium and thorium can also undergo nuclear fission reactions. Uranium-235 is the most commonly used isotope, but plutonium-239 and thorium-232 can also sustain fission reactions in certain nuclear reactors.
How is plutonium found in nature?
Plutonium can be found accompanying uranium minerals but only in insignificant traces. Plutonium is obtained as an industrial product in nuclear reactors. A low pollution from nuclear facilities or nuclear weapons tests exist in the environment now. The chemical form is probably plutonium dioxide.
What is the only naturally occurring element used for nuclear fission?
Uranium is the only naturally occurring element used for nuclear fission in commercial nuclear reactors. It is typically found in two isotopes, uranium-235 and uranium-238, with uranium-235 being the primary isotope used for nuclear fission reactions.
What are the difference between plutonium and uranium?
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.
Is plutonium an alloy?
No, plutonium is not mined. Plutonium can be found accompanying uranium minerals but only in insignificant traces. Plutonium is obtained as an industrial product in nuclear reactors.
How the plutonium is form by natural uranium?
plutonium can only form from uranium in a nuclear reactor. since the last natural reactors on earth shut down about 3 billion years ago (oklo) it can't happen naturally now.
How abundant is plutonium?
Plutonium is a rare element found in trace amounts in nature, primarily as a byproduct of nuclear reactors. It is artificially produced for use in nuclear weapons and reactors. While not abundant naturally, there are stockpiles of plutonium worldwide due to nuclear activities over the past several decades.
