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Chapter 38: Problem 11

Is \(^{238} \mathrm{U}\) fissionable? Is it fissile? Explain the distinction.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Uranium-238 is fissionable, but it is not fissile. The distinction lies in the neutron energy required to cause fission. For \(^{238} U\), high energy neutrons are needed, which is characteristic of fissionable isotopes, however, it cannot undergo fission with low energy or thermal neutrons, a characteristic of fissile isotopes.

Step by step solution

01

Define Uranium-238

Uranium-238 (\(^{238} U\)) is the most common isotope of uranium found in nature, being considerably more abundant than uranium-235.
02

Determine if Uranium-238 is fissionable

\(^{238} U\) is fissionable. This means that uranium-238 can undergo fission, but it requires a high energy neutron to cause the fission.
03

Determine if Uranium-238 is fissile

\(^{238} U\) is not fissile. Fission in uranium-238 does not easily occur with a slow or thermal neutron. Instead, uranium-238 mostly absorbs the neutron and transforms into uranium-239.
04

Explanation of the distinction

The key difference between being fissionable and being fissile is in the neutron energy required to cause fission. Fissionable isotopes like uranium-238 need high energy neutrons. On the other hand, fissile isotopes can use thermal (slow) neutrons for fission. This is the distinction between the two terms.

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