How is the nucleus of a uranium-238 atom different to the nucleus of a uranium-235 atom?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 2, 2017

#""^238U# has 3 more neutrons than #""^235U#, and...........

Explanation:

These nuclides are both isotopes of uranium, and thus, each nucleus contains 92 protons - they would not be uranium isotopes otherwise.

The isotopes differ in the number of neutrons contained in their nucleus. #""^238U# contains #(238-92)# neutrons; #""^235U# contains #(235-92)# neutrons.

I forget which isotope is the fissile one. It's #""^235U# isn't it, and #""^238U# is the fertile isotope? Anyway, this is the chemistry not the physics section.

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