What happens to uranium-235 over millions of years what does it turn into?

The nucleus of the U-235 atom comprises 92 protons and 143 neutrons (92 + 143 = 235). When this happens over and over again, many millions of times, a very large amount of heat is produced from a relatively small amount of uranium. It is this process, in effect ‘burning’ uranium, which occurs in a nuclear reactor.

What impacts the U-235 atom causes the U-235 atom to split?

Fission occurs when a neutron strikes the nucleus of a uranium-235 atom, causing the atom to split apart.

What happens when uranium-235 splits?

When a nucleus of uranium-235 undergoes fission, it splits into two smaller atoms and, at the same time, releases neutrons ( n) and energy. Some of these neutrons are absorbed by other atoms of uranium-235. In turn, these atoms split apart, releasing more energy and more neutrons.

What must a uranium-235 nucleus absorb before fission will happen?

In the first step, a uranium-235 atom absorbs a neutron, and splits into two new atoms (fission fragments), releasing three new neutrons and a large amount of binding energy. In the second step, one of those neutrons is absorbed by an atom of uranium-238, and does not continue the reaction.

How much energy does uranium-235 release?

The total binding energy released in fission of an atomic nucleus varies with the precise break up, but averages about 200 MeV* for U-235 or 3.2 x 10-11 joule. This is about 82 TJ/kg.

What are the uses of uranium-235?

Uranium “enriched” into U-235 concentrations can be used as fuel for nuclear power plants and the nuclear reactors that run naval ships and submarines. It also can be used in nuclear weapons.

How do scientist get U-235 to become unstable and split releasing energy and 2/3 neutrons?

U-235 decays naturally by alpha radiation: It throws off an alpha particle, or two neutrons and two protons bound together. It’s also one of the few elements that can undergo induced fission. Fire a free neutron into a U-235 nucleus and the nucleus will absorb the neutron, become unstable and split immediately.

How is uranium-235 used?

Why is U-235 used instead of U 238?

U- 235 is a fissile isotope, meaning that it can split into smaller molecules when a lower-energy neutron is fired at it. U- 238 is a fissionable isotope, meaning that it can undergo nuclear fission, but the neutrons fired at it would need much more energy in order for fission to take place.