The naturally occurring radioactive isotope 232 Th doesnot make good fission fuel, because it has an even number ofneutrons; however, it can be bred into a suitable fuel (muchas 238U is bred into 239 P ).(a) What are Z and N for 232 Th ?(b) Write the reaction equation for neutron captured by232 Th and identify the nuclide A X produced inn + 232Th → A X + γ .(c) The product nucleus β− decays, as does its daughter.Write the decay equations for each, and identify the finalnucleus.(d) Confirm that the final nucleus has an odd number ofneutrons, making it a better fission fuel.(e) Look up the half-life of the final nucleus to see if it liveslong enough to be a useful fuel.
Radioactive decay
The emission of energy to produce ionizing radiation is known as radioactive decay. Alpha, beta particles, and gamma rays are examples of ionizing radiation that could be released. Radioactive decay happens in radionuclides, which are imbalanced atoms. This periodic table's elements come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Several of these kinds are stable like nitrogen-14, hydrogen-2, and potassium-40, whereas others are not like uranium-238. In nature, one of the most stable phases of an element is usually the most prevalent. Every element, meanwhile, has an unstable state. Unstable variants are radioactive and release ionizing radiation. Certain elements, including uranium, have no stable forms and are constantly radioactive. Radionuclides are elements that release ionizing radiation.
Artificial Radioactivity
The radioactivity can be simply referred to as particle emission from nuclei due to the nuclear instability. There are different types of radiation such as alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Along with these there are different types of decay as well.
The naturally occurring radioactive isotope 232 Th does
not make good fission fuel, because it has an even number of
neutrons; however, it can be bred into a suitable fuel (much
as 238U is bred into 239 P ).
(a) What are Z and N for 232 Th ?
(b) Write the reaction equation for neutron captured by
232 Th and identify the nuclide A X produced in
n + 232Th → A X + γ .
(c) The product nucleus β− decays, as does its daughter.
Write the decay equations for each, and identify the final
nucleus.
(d) Confirm that the final nucleus has an odd number of
neutrons, making it a better fission fuel.
(e) Look up the half-life of the final nucleus to see if it lives
long enough to be a useful fuel.
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