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 Radon-222 Beta Decay of Strontium-90 Beta Decay of Cobalt-60 Beta Decay of Carbon-14 Proton-Proton Chain (Solar Fusion) Uranium-235 Fission Positron Emission of Carbon-11 Positron Emission of Fluorine-18 (PET Scan) Technetium-99m Gamma Decay Alpha Decay of Radium-226

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.