0
What else can I help you with?
How explosive is plutonium?
Plutonium is highly explosive when in a critical mass, meaning a sufficient amount is brought together to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. However, in its standard form, such as in nuclear weapons or power plants, plutonium is not explosive on its own and requires specific conditions to detonate.
What is more radioactive uranium or plutonium?
There are numerous isotopes of both plutonium and uranium ( all radioactive) thus it is not easy to say which element is more radioactive. However the half lives of the most active isotpe of each compound is follows241Pu has a half life of 14 years232U has a half life of 68.9 yearsSo in terms of activity, Plutonium is more radioactive; however uranium stays radioactive for a longer time.The specific activity of plutonium is greater than the specific activity of uranium (comparison between 239Pu and 238U).
Is plutonium more powerful than uranium?
Yes, plutonium is generally considered to be more powerful than uranium because it is a more efficient fuel for nuclear reactors and can sustain nuclear chain reactions more easily. Additionally, certain isotopes of plutonium are used in nuclear weapons due to their high explosive potential.
How much does a quart of plutonium weigh?
A quart of plutonium would weigh approximately 132 pounds.
Does critical mass depend on polarity?
No, critical mass does not depend on polarity. Critical mass is simply the amount of fissile material needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. Polarity, which is a property of molecules, does not play a role in determining critical mass.
Does is Plutonium explosive?
Plutonium is extremely explosive when the critical mass is attained.
What does uranium and plutonium do inside a bomb?
The critical mass of plutonium is lower, plutonium is not so expensive as highly enriched uranium, the technology to obtain plutonium is more simple than the isotopic separa-tion of uranium, etc.
Is plutonium more powerful then uranium?
Plutonium is more dangerous: the specific activity is greater, the critical mass is smaller, the chemical toxicity is greater.
What is the differences of plutonium and uranium?
Uranium is a natural chemical element, plutonium is an artificial element (but note that plutonium exist also naturally in the earth crust in extremely low concentrations). Uranium has the atomic number 92 and plutonium 94. The critical mass of uranium is greater than the critical mass of plutonium. The melting and boiling points of U and Pu are different. Uranium has an orthorombic crystalline structure; the structure of plutonium is monoclinic. And many other physical and chemical properties are different.
How explosive is plutonium?
Plutonium is highly explosive when in a critical mass, meaning a sufficient amount is brought together to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. However, in its standard form, such as in nuclear weapons or power plants, plutonium is not explosive on its own and requires specific conditions to detonate.
What are plutoniums pros and cons?
Applications of plutonium: • explosive in nuclear weapons • nuclear fuel in nuclear power reactors • the isotope 238Pu is used as energy source in spacecrafts or other applications (radioisotope thermoelectric generators); the chemical form is plutonium dioxide. • neutron generator, as Pu-Be source Disadvantages of plutonium: - plutonium is radioactive - plutonium is toxic - plutonium is flammable - in some conditions (of mass and geometric form) plutonium can reach the critical mass
What the pros and cons of plutonium?
Applications of plutonium: • explosive in nuclear weapons • nuclear fuel in nuclear power reactors • the isotope 238Pu is used as energy source in spacecrafts or other applications (radioisotope thermoelectric generators); the chemical form is plutonium dioxide. • neutron generator, as Pu-Be source Disadvantages of plutonium: - plutonium is radioactive - plutonium is toxic - plutonium is flammable - plutonium can reach a critical mass
What is the term that is used to describe a key factor required to start a fission reaction?
The term is "critical mass." It refers to the minimum amount of fissionable material, such as uranium or plutonium, required to sustain a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor or bomb.
What is the critical mass for the two common nuclear fuels?
The critical mass for uranium-235 is typically around 15-25 kg, while for plutonium-239 it is around 5-10 kg. These critical masses depend on the geometry and purity of the materials and are important for sustaining a nuclear chain reaction.
What is the mass number of the isotopes of plutonium?
The mass number of plutonium isotopes can vary depending on the specific isotope. Common plutonium isotopes include plutonium-238, plutonium-239, and plutonium-240, with mass numbers of 238, 239, and 240 respectively.
What are the advantages and disadvantages for using plutonium in generate electricity?
Applications of plutonium: * nuclear fuel in nuclear power reactors; can contribute to use uranium-238 which is fertile.Disadvantages of plutonium:- plutonium is radioactive - plutonium is toxic - plutonium is flammable - in some conditions (of mass and geometric form) plutonium can reach the critical mass
What can plutonium make?
Plutonium can be used in fuel rods for generation nuclear energy. Plutonium can also be used to create an atomic bomb. Simply bring enough plutonium together in a single contained pile, and the critical mass creates a chain reaction liberating nuclear energy through a fission reaction resulting in a tremendous explosion.
