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Chapter 19: Problem 52

Breeder reactors are used to convert the nonfissionable nuclide \({ }_{92}^{238} \mathrm{U}\) to a fissionable product. Neutron capture of the \({ }_{92}^{238} \mathrm{U}\) is followed by two successive beta decays. What is the final fissionable product?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The final fissionable product after two successive beta decays of \({}_{92}^{238}\mathrm{U}\) is Plutonium-239 (\({}_{94}^{239}\mathrm{Pu}\)).

Step by step solution

01

Neutron Capture by U-238

First, we'll identify the new nuclide formed after neutron capture. When a neutron is captured by an atom, the mass number increases by one, and the atomic number remains the same. Thus, after capturing a neutron, U-238 becomes: \({}_{92}^{239}\mathrm{U}\)
02

First Beta Decay

Now, we'll identify the nuclide after the first beta decay. During a beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, and an electron (beta particle) is emitted. This causes the atomic number to increase by 1, while the mass number remains the same. So after the first beta decay, the nuclide becomes: \({}_{93}^{239}\mathrm{Np}\) (Neptunium-239)
03

Second Beta Decay

Finally, we'll identify the final fissionable product after the second beta decay. Similarly, as the previous step, the atomic number increases by 1, and the mass number remains the same. After the second beta decay, the nuclide becomes: \({}_{94}^{239}\mathrm{Pu}\) (Plutonium-239) The final fissionable product after two successive beta decays of U-238 is Plutonium-239.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Americium- 241 is widely used in smoke detectors. The radiation released by this element ionizes particles that are then detected by a charged-particle collector. The half-life of \({ }^{241}\) Am is 433 years, and it decays by emitting alpha particles. How many alpha particles are emitted each second by a \(5.00-\mathrm{g}\) sample of \({ }^{241} \mathrm{Am} ?\)

Scientists have estimated that the earth's crust was formed \(4.3\) billion years ago. The radioactive nuclide \({ }^{176} \mathrm{Lu}\), which decays to \({ }^{176} \mathrm{Hf}\), was used to estimate this age. The half-life of \({ }^{176} \mathrm{Lu}\) is 37 billion years. How are ratios of \({ }^{176} \mathrm{Lu}\) to \({ }^{176} \mathrm{Hf}\) utilized to date very old rocks?

Uranium- 235 undergoes a series of \(\alpha\) -particle and \(\beta\) -particle productions to end up as lead-207. How many \(\alpha\) particles and \(\beta\) particles are produced in the complete decay series?

Write balanced equations for each of the processes described below. a. Chromium- 51 , which targets the spleen and is used as a tracer in studies of red blood cells, decays by electron capture. b. Iodine-131, used to treat hyperactive thyroid glands, decays by producing a \(\beta\) particle. c. Phosphorus- 32, which accumulates in the liver, decays by \(\beta\) particle production.

The first atomic explosion was detonated in the desert north of Alamogordo, New Mexico, on July 16, 1945. What fraction of the strontium- \(90\left(t_{1 / 2}=28.9\right.\) years) originally produced by that explosion still remains as of July \(16,2009 ?\)
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