What is the Difference Between Uranium 235 and Uranium 238?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between uranium-235 (U-235) and uranium-238 (U-238) lies in the number of neutrons in their atomic nuclei and their natural abundance. Here are the key differences:
- Atomic Mass: The nucleus of the U-235 atom contains 92 protons and 143 neutrons, giving an atomic mass of 235 units. On the other hand, the U-238 nucleus contains 92 protons and 146 neutrons, resulting in an atomic mass of 238 units.
- Natural Abundance: U-238 is the most abundant form of uranium found in nature, with approximately 99.3% of mined uranium consisting of U-238. In contrast, U-235 makes up only about 0.7% of natural uranium.
- Half-life: U-235 has a half-life of 700 million years, while U-238 has a much longer half-life of 4.5 billion years.
- Fissile Properties: The main fissile isotope of uranium is U-235, which is the primary source of energy in nuclear reactors. When concentrated (or "enriched") to about 3 to 5%, U-235 becomes suitable for use in nuclear reactors. U-238, on the other hand, can be used as a radiation shield or in depleted uranium for military applications.
The 1.27% difference in mass between U-235 and U-238 allows for the separation of these isotopes during the uranium enrichment process.
Comparative Table: Uranium 235 vs Uranium 238
Here is a table comparing the differences and similarities between Uranium-235 and Uranium-238:
Property | Uranium-235 | Uranium-238 |
---|---|---|
Neutrons | 143 | 146 |
Atomic Mass | 235.043 u | 238.05 u |
Stability | Less stable | More stable |
Fissile | Yes, it can sustain nuclear fission chain reaction with thermal neutrons | No |
Nuclear Power Plant Fuel | Only U-235 undergoes nuclear fission to generate necessary thermal energy | Both isotopes are present in the nuclear fuel, but only U-235 participates in fission |
Proportion in Earth's Uranium | 0.72% | 99.28% |
Both Uranium-235 and Uranium-238 are isotopes of uranium, containing the same number of protons and electrons (92 each). They are also both naturally occurring radioactive isotopes with different half-lives. However, Uranium-235 is a fissile isotope and can sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction, while Uranium-238 is not fissile and does not participate in fission. The nuclear fuel used in reactors of the nuclear power plant contains both isotopes, but only Uranium-235 undergoes nuclear fission to generate necessary thermal energy.
- Uranium 234 235 vs 238
- Thorium vs Uranium
- Uranium vs Plutonium
- Transuranic Elements vs Radioisotopes
- Carbon Dating vs Uranium Dating
- Curium 242 vs Curium 244
- Fissile vs Fertile Isotopes
- Radioisotope vs Isotope
- Radon vs Radium
- Polonium vs Plutonium
- Atomic Number vs Atomic Weight
- Deuterium vs Tritium
- Stable Isotopes vs Radioisotopes
- Carbon 12 vs Carbon 14
- Isotopes vs Elements
- Yttrium vs Ytterbium
- Nuclear Fusion vs Fission
- Atomic Number vs Atomicity
- Radioactivity vs Transmutation