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The ionization-type smoke detectors use a tiny Americium source to generate alpha particles. Cobalt-60 does not generate alpha particles. Alpha radiation is actually a helium-4 nucleus - two protons and two neutrons. It has very limited penetrating power because it is a big, heavy particle and it tends to collide (scatter) when it tries to go through anything, even just air. The detector makes use of the fact that alpha particles ionize the heck out of air, and are scattered by anything in the air. The cobalt-60 decays by beta and gamma emission, and that kind of radiation has "too much" penetrating power to make the detector usable the way it is set up.

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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.


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.


Uranium -235 and uranium -238 are different of uranium?

Uranium-235 and uranium-238 are isotopes of uranium, meaning they have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Uranium-235 is used in nuclear reactors and weapons due to its ability to sustain a nuclear chain reaction, while uranium-238 is more abundant in nature but less useful for these purposes.


What element uses breeder reactor uranium or plutonium?

A breeder reactor uses uranium-238 or plutonium-239 as fuel. These elements can undergo fission reactions and produce additional fuel as a byproduct, making breeder reactors efficient in generating more nuclear fuel than they consume.


Which isotope of uranium is used in atomic reactors?

U-235 is the fissile isotope that produces the reactor power output in new fuel. During operation some of the U-238 is converted to plutonium which also contributes to the power of the reactor, an increasing amount as the U-235 is used up.

Related Questions

What are the differences between uranium-235 and uranium-238 in terms of their nuclear properties and applications?

Uranium-235 and uranium-238 are two isotopes of uranium with different numbers of neutrons. Uranium-235 is used in nuclear reactors and weapons due to its ability to sustain a nuclear chain reaction, while uranium-238 is mainly used in depleted uranium ammunition and as a source of fuel for nuclear reactors. The main difference between the two isotopes is their nuclear properties and applications.


What type of researcher would use the other isotopes such as uranium-238?

Uranium-238 is used in:- nuclear breeder reactors- nuclear weapons, for tampering- shielding- projectiles andarmors with high density


How does uranium turn nuclear?

Pure Uranium is radioactive; thus harmful. Inside a nuclear reactor, atoms get split. When the Uranium atom is split, it releases a huge amount of energy. This energy is called nuclear energy. Also the normal Uranium is not used in reactors. The Uranium that is used is enhanced; it is an isotope of Uranium. Uranium-237 and Uranium-238 are used in nuclear reactors. I hope this answer was useful for you.


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.


What are ways to extend the life of the resource Uranium?

By recycling nuclear fuels and using the residual uranium 238 in rapid nuclear reactors.


What is the main use of Uranium-238?

The main use of Uranium-238 is as a fuel in nuclear reactors to generate electricity through nuclear fission. It is not used for nuclear weapons as its fissionability is limited, but it plays a crucial role in sustaining nuclear power generation.


Does uranium need to be enriched in order to be used in a nuclear reactor?

Yes, uranium needs to be enriched in order to be used in a nuclear reactor. Enrichment increases the concentration of uranium-235, the isotope necessary for sustained nuclear reactions in most reactors. Natural uranium is primarily composed of uranium-238, which needs to be converted to uranium-235 through enrichment processes.


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.


Are Isotopes of uranium are the most common fuel used in nuclear power plants?

Natural uranium is mostly U-238, with only 0.7% U-235 which is the fissile isotope. In reactors of the PWR and BWR types, the proportion of U-235 is increased to about 5% by enrichment, either gaseous diffusion or in centrifuges.


What is plutonium cycle?

The plutonium cycle is a process in nuclear reactors where plutonium-239 is created from uranium-238. This plutonium is then used as fuel in nuclear reactors to produce energy. The plutonium cycle helps to maximize the energy output and efficiency of nuclear power plants.


Uranium -235 and uranium -238 are different of uranium?

Uranium-235 and uranium-238 are isotopes of uranium, meaning they have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Uranium-235 is used in nuclear reactors and weapons due to its ability to sustain a nuclear chain reaction, while uranium-238 is more abundant in nature but less useful for these purposes.


What element uses breeder reactor uranium or plutonium?

A breeder reactor uses uranium-238 or plutonium-239 as fuel. These elements can undergo fission reactions and produce additional fuel as a byproduct, making breeder reactors efficient in generating more nuclear fuel than they consume.