Uranium-235: Encyclopedia - Uranium-235

Uranium-235

Uranium-235 is an isotope of uranium that differs from the element's other common isotope, uranium-238, by its ability to cause a rapidly expanding fission chain reaction, i.e., it is fissile. In fact, U-235 is the only fissile isotope found in nature. It was discovered in 1935 by Arthur Jeffrey Dempster. A uranium nucleus that absorbs a neutron splits into two lighter nuclei; this is called nuclear fission. It releases either two or three neutrons which continue the reaction. In nuclear reactors, the reaction is slowed down by the addition of control rods which are made of elements such as boron, cadmium, and hafnium which can absorb a large number of neutrons. In nuclear bombs, the reaction is uncontrolled and the large amount of energy released creates a nuclear explosion.

The fission of one atom of U-235 generates 200 MeV = 3.2 × 10^-11 J, i.e. 18 TJ/mol = 77 TJ/kg.

Only around 0.72% of all natural uranium is uranium-235, the rest being mostly uranium-238. This concentration is insufficient for a self sustaining reaction in a mass of pure uranium or a light water reactor; enrichment, which just means separating out the uranium-238, must take place to get a usable concentration of uranium-235. CANDU reactors, other heavy water reactors, and some graphite moderated reactors are known for using unenriched uranium. For an explosion, approximately 90% purity is required.

Uranium-235 has a half-life of 700 million years.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Uranium-235", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki