In naturally occurring uranium atoms, 99.3%are 238U 1atomic mass = 238 u, where u = 1.6605 * 10-27 kg2 andonly 0.7% are 235U 1atomic mass = 235 u2. Uranium-fueled reactors require an enhanced proportion of 235U. Since both isotopesof uranium have identical chemical properties, they can be separated only by methods that depend on their differing masses. Onesuch method is gaseous diffusion, in which uranium hexafluoride1UF62 gas diffuses through a series of porous barriers. The lighter 235UF6 molecules have a slightly higher rms speed at a given temperature than the heavier 238UF6 molecules, and this allows thetwo isotopes to be separated. Find the ratio of the rms speeds ofthe two isotopes at 23.0 °C.
In naturally occurring uranium atoms, 99.3%
are 238U 1atomic mass = 238 u, where u = 1.6605 * 10-27 kg2 and
only 0.7% are 235U 1atomic mass = 235 u2. Uranium-fueled reactors require an enhanced proportion of 235U. Since both isotopes
of uranium have identical chemical properties, they can be separated only by methods that depend on their differing masses. One
such method is gaseous diffusion, in which uranium hexafluoride
1UF62 gas diffuses through a series of porous barriers. The lighter 235UF6 molecules have a slightly higher rms speed at a given temperature than the heavier 238UF6 molecules, and this allows the
two isotopes to be separated. Find the ratio of the rms speeds of
the two isotopes at 23.0 °C.
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