Question

Why is U-235 the most common nuclear fuel instead of the more abundant U-238? State a clear topic sentence and support it with evidence.

Answer 1

Answer and explanation;

• The isotope U-235 is an important common nuclear fuel because under certain conditions it can readily be split, yielding a lot of energy. It is therefore said to be 'fissile' and use the expression 'nuclear fission'.
• Uranium 238 on the other hand is not fissionable by thermal neutrons, but it can undergo fission from fast or high energy neutrons. Hence it is not fissile, but it is fissionable.
• In a nuclear power station fissioning of uranium atoms replaces the burning of coal or gas.  Heat created by splitting the U-235 atoms is then used to make steam which spins a turbine to drive a generator, producing electricity.