Neutron Capture by Uranium-238

²³⁸U + ¹n → ²³⁹U → ²³⁹Np → ²³⁹Pu

Aperçu

Uranium-238 captures a neutron to form uranium-239, which beta decays (23.5 min) to neptunium-239, which beta decays (2.36 days) to fissile plutonium-239. This breeding reaction produces more fissile material in fast breeder reactors than is consumed, potentially extending nuclear fuel reserves by a factor of 60.

Participants

Rôle	Substance	Coefficient	État
Réactif	Uranium U	1	(s)
Produit	Plutonium Pu	1	(s)

Exemple du quotidien

In every nuclear reactor, some U-238 converts to Pu-239 by this process, contributing about one-third of the energy produced.

Importance industrielle

Plutonium breeding is central to the nuclear fuel cycle. Fast breeder reactors like BN-800 in Russia are designed to maximize this conversion.

Propriétés

Type: Nuclear
Réversible: Non
Énergie: Exothermique
ΔH: -500000000,0 kJ/mol

Réactions associées

Alpha Decay of Radium-226 Alpha Decay of Radon-222 Alpha Decay of Thorium-232 Beta Decay of Iodine-131 Beta Decay of Strontium-90 Alpha Decay of Polonium-210 Americium-241 Alpha Decay Beta Decay of Cobalt-60 Plutonium-239 Fission Electron Capture by Beryllium-7

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Neutron Capture by Uranium-238?

The balanced equation is: ²³⁸U + ¹n → ²³⁹U → ²³⁹Np → ²³⁹Pu.

What type of reaction is Neutron Capture by Uranium-238?

Neutron Capture by Uranium-238 is a nuclear reaction.

Is Neutron Capture by Uranium-238 exothermic or endothermic?

Neutron Capture by Uranium-238 is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -500000000.0 kJ/mol.