Q51P Many fear that nuclear power rea... [FREE SOLUTION]

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Chapter 43: Q51P (page 1333)

Many fear that nuclear power reactor technology will increase the likelihood of nuclear war because reactors can be used not only to produce electrical energy but also, as a by-product through neutron capture with inexpensive ${}^{238}U$ , to make ${}^{239}P u$ , which is a 鈥渇uel鈥� for nuclear bombs. What simple series of reactions involving neutron capture and beta decay would yield this plutonium isotope?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The reactions are ${}^{238}U + n {鈫�}^{239} N p + e + v$ , and ${}^{239}N p {鈫�}^{239} P u + e + v$ .

Step by step solution

Describe the given information

It is required to write the equation for the production of ${}^{239}{Pu}$ with the help of ${}^{238}U$ .

Write the simple series of reactions involving neutron capture and beta decay to yield plutonium isotope

It is known that the atomic number of the plutonium which is z = 94 , is greater than the atomic number of the uranium z = 92 by two. So, two electrons must be emitted so that the nucleus can gain a +2e charge.

In other word, the uranium nucleus can capture a neutron an then undergo a beta decay two times as shown below.

${}^{238}U + n {鈫�}^{239} N p + e + v {}^{239}N p {鈫�}^{239} P u + e + v$

Therefore, the reactions are ${}^{238}U + n {鈫�}^{239} N p + e + v$ , and ${}^{239}N p {鈫�}^{239} P u + e + v$ .

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Short Answer

Step by step solution

Describe the given information

Write the simple series of reactions involving neutron capture and beta decay to yield plutonium isotope

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