Question

(a) Which of the following are required characteristics of an isotope to be used as a fuel in a nuclear power reactor? (i) It must emit gamma radiation. (ii) On decay, it must release two or more neutrons. (iii) It must have a half-life less than one hour. (iv) It must undergo fission upon the absorption of a neutron. (b) What is the most common fissionable isotope in a commercial nuclear power reactor?

Short answer

The required characteristics of an isotope to be used as a fuel in a nuclear power reactor are: (ii) On decay, it must release two or more neutrons, and (iv) It must undergo fission upon the absorption of a neutron. The most common fissionable isotope in a commercial nuclear power reactor is Uranium-235 (\(^{235}\)U).

Step-by-step solution

Define an isotope and list necessary characteristics for fuel in a nuclear power reactor.

An isotope is an atom with the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons. For an isotope to be used as a fuel in a nuclear power reactor, it must undergo nuclear fission (splitting of atomic nuclei), release enough energy for a sustained chain reaction, and be able to be controlled and moderated.

Evaluate each given requirement and determine which are necessary for nuclear fuel.

(i) Emitting gamma radiation is not a required characteristic for an isotope to be used as nuclear fuel. Gamma radiation is a byproduct of nuclear fission, but it does not directly contribute to the fission process. (ii) An isotope that releases two or more neutrons when it decays, can help sustain a chain reaction. This is a required characteristic for nuclear fuel. (iii) Having a half-life less than one hour is not a required characteristic for nuclear fuel. A short half-life could be problematic as the isotopes may decay too quickly, requiring frequent replacement and making the fuel less practical for use in a reactor. (iv) The ability to undergo fission upon neutron absorption is a required characteristic for nuclear fuel, as it is the primary process that generates energy in a nuclear reactor. In summary, of the given conditions, (ii) and (iv) are required characteristics of an isotope to be used as a fuel in a nuclear power reactor.

Identify the most common fissionable isotope in a commercial nuclear power reactor.

The most common fissionable isotope used in commercial nuclear power reactors is Uranium-235 (\(^{235}\)U). This isotope undergoes fission upon absorbing neutrons, releasing energy and more neutrons to sustain a chain reaction, making it suitable for use as nuclear fuel.

Key concepts

Isotopes

In the realm of chemistry and nuclear physics, understanding isotopes is crucial. Isotopes are variations of the same chemical element that have the same number of protons but differ in the number of neutrons. This means that while they share the same atomic number, their mass numbers can vary. These differences in neutron count do not significantly alter the element's chemical properties but can affect nuclear properties.
This variety in isotopic composition allows certain isotopes to be used in specific applications, such as medical imaging or nuclear reactors. For instance, certain isotopes like Uranium-235 are crucial for nuclear reactors because they can undergo fission, releasing energy in the process.

• An isotope's ability to undergo fission makes it a potential candidate for nuclear fuel.
• Not all isotopes emit radiation that is useful or necessary for specific processes like nuclear fission.
• The release of more neutrons upon decay can sustain a chain reaction, an essential feature for nuclear fuel.

In studying isotopes, it's important to focus on these nuclear properties to understand their suitability and application in different fields.

Nuclear Power Reactor

A nuclear power reactor is a sophisticated system engineered to convert nuclear energy into electrical energy. It operates based on the principle of nuclear fission, where the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, often producing free neutrons and photons (gamma rays). This process releases a significant amount of energy that is used to heat water, producing steam to drive turbines for power generation.
Reactor design takes into account many critical elements including safety and efficiency:

• Fuel: Isotopes like Uranium-235 that can sustain a fission chain reaction are used as fuel.
• Moderator: Materials like water or graphite that slow down fast neutrons, enabling them to sustain the chain reaction effectively.
• Coolant: Substances such as water, gas, or liquid metal that transfer the heat from the reactor core to the steam generator.

Nuclear power reactors must be carefully controlled and monitored to prevent overheating or accidents. Despite the complexity, they play a key role in providing a stable source of energy without the reliance on fossil fuels.

Uranium-235

Uranium-235, often abbreviated as U-235, is one of the most significant isotopes in the context of nuclear reactors. It is an isotope of Uranium, which is a heavy metallic element available naturally in the earth's crust. What makes U-235 exceptionally valuable is its unique property to undergo nuclear fission.
When a U-235 nucleus absorbs a neutron, it becomes unstable and splits into two smaller nuclei along with a few more neutrons and a large amount of energy. This released energy is harnessed in nuclear reactors:

• U-235 has the ability to sustain a chain reaction, releasing more neutrons upon fission that can in turn split additional U-235 nuclei.
• This ability positions U-235 as a primary fuel choice in nuclear power reactors for efficient and controllable energy production.

Despite being less abundant than Uranium-238, the effectiveness of U-235 in chain reactions makes it the most common fuel used in commercial nuclear reactors, allowing for significant energy generation from small amounts of fuel.