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Nuclear reactors usually use uranium. U-235 is the isotope that undergoes fission, but it is usually only about 5% of the initial uranium in the fuel, the rest is U-238 which is not fissile itself but during reactor operation some turns into plutonium which is fissile and starts to contribute to the fuel output as the U-235 gets depleted.
Atom bombs usually use plutonium-239 but can also be made from pure U-235.
What else can I help you with?
What metal isotopes are generally used in atom bombs and nuclear reactors?
plutonium and uranium
Four uses of radioactive isotopes are?
- energy source - radiation source - tracer - fuel for nuclear reactors - explosive for nuclear bombs
Is nuclear fission only used to create atomic bombs?
No, nuclear fission operates all nuclear reactors. If they are power plant reactors it is used to generate electricity.
Where does fission occour?
Nuclear fission occurs in fission reactors, a type of nuclear reactor, and in fission bombs, more commonly knows as atomic bombs.
How does the human race utilize nuclear energy?
Basically, nuclear energy is used in two ways: * In nuclear reactors, to generate electricity. * In nuclear bombs (atom bombs) to cause destruction on a large scale.
What is a heavy element used in nuclear bombs and nuclear energy?
When it comes to heavy elements that are used in weapons and in reactors, uranium and plutonium are both candidates. The first atomic bombs were made of uranium, and they are now pretty much made of plutonium. Some special nuclear reactors are powered by plutonium fuel, but most reactors for power generation use (enriched) uranium for fuel. Links are provided to relevant articles posted by our friends at Wikipedia, where knowledge is free.
Are nuclear fusion dangerus?
Well, fusion bombs are, but fusion reactors should not be (if we can build them).
What do both nuclear reactor and nuclear bombs have?
Both nuclear reactors and nuclear bombs utilize nuclear fission reactions, in which atomic nuclei are split, releasing a large amount of energy. However, the purpose and control of these reactions differ greatly: reactors are designed to produce electricity or heat through controlled fission, while bombs are intended to release explosive energy in an uncontrolled chain reaction.
Which of the following are differences between nuclear reactors and nuclear bombs?
Purpose: Nuclear reactors are designed to produce electricity through controlled nuclear fission, while nuclear bombs are designed to release a large amount of energy in an uncontrolled nuclear fission chain reaction. Control: Nuclear reactors have various safety features and control mechanisms to regulate the nuclear fission process, while nuclear bombs have no such controls and are designed for maximum energy release. Fuel Enrichment: Nuclear reactors typically use low-enriched uranium or plutonium as fuel, while nuclear bombs require highly enriched uranium or plutonium to achieve a rapid, explosive chain reaction.
What objects use energy?
The use of nuclear energy in civilian society is to generate electricity. In the military it is to make bombs (and hopefully not use them). There are also some uses in medicine where radio isotopes can be used for diagnosis and treatment. These isotopes are produced by irradiation in low power reactors which enable short lived radio isotopes to be obtained as required.
What is the uranium?
Uranium is a chemical element, metal, with 3 natural isotopes and cca. 25 artifficial isotopes, all radioactive; 92 electrons and protons in nucleus, each isotope with the corresponding number of neutrons, atomic number 92, atomic mass 238,02891. Uranium is also toxic. Important uses: fuel for nuclear reactors and nuclear bombs
Describe the difference between weapons grade and reactor grade nuclear fuel?
Uranium in nature is only about 0.7% 235U. In order to have a chain reaction, the percentage of 235U must be increased by enrichment. The percentages of 235U in nuclear reactors are generally low, about 3% to 5%. For bombs, the percentage is generally 85% or more.
