Neutron capture

Neutron capture is a type of nuclear reaction. In this reaction, a nucleus gets hit by a neutron, and the two combine into a larger nucleus. Neutron capture is

Neutron capture

Neutron capture is a type of nuclear reaction. In this reaction, a nucleus gets hit by a neutron, and the two combine into a larger nucleus. Neutron capture is one of the most important basic nuclear reaction types.

Because the number of protons stay the same, neutron capture makes a heavier isotope of the same element. This isotope can be more or less stable, and goes through different kinds of radioactive decay. Through this, neutron capture is often the first step of nuclear transmutation.

Example

Uranium-238 is a fertile isotope of uranium. This means it cannot be used as fuel for a thermal-neutron reactor, but it is possible for it to be transmuted into a fissile isotope that can. This reaction starts with neutron capture, changing the 238U into 239U.

238U + n0 → 239U

This isotope then goes through beta decay twice to become the fissile plutonium-239.

Content Disclaimer

Informasi ini disarikan dari Wikipedia dan disajikan kembali untuk tujuan edukasi. Konten tersedia di bawah lisensi CC BY-SA 3.0. Kami tidak bertanggung jawab atas ketidakakuratan data yang bersumber dari kontribusi publik tersebut.

  1. The information displayed on this website is sourced in part or in whole from Wikipedia and has been adapted for the purpose of restating it. We strive to provide accurate and relevant information, however:
  2. There is no guarantee of absolute accuracy. Wikipedia is an open, collaborative project that can be edited by anyone, so information is subject to change.
  3. It is not intended to constitute professional advice. The content displayed is for informational and educational purposes only. For important decisions (e.g., medical, legal, or financial), please consult a professional.
  4. Content copyright. Wikipedia is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (CC BY-SA). This means that content may be reused with appropriate attribution and shared under a similar license.
  5. Responsible use. Any risk arising from the use of information from this website is entirely the responsibility of the user.