doing an argumentative essay about nuclear reactors vs. thorium reactors and why thorium reactors are better/safer.
my question is if both a reactor and a bomb use uranium 235, but at different concentration, is it scientifically/theoretically possible to enrich U-235 from nuclear fuel to > 80% and be made into a nuke bomb?
my question is if both a reactor and a bomb use uranium 235, but at different concentration, is it scientifically/theoretically possible to enrich U-235 from nuclear fuel to > 80% and be made into a nuke bomb?
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It is possible to enrich nuclear fuel, but it is not efficient. I do not know what bomb concentrations are, but 80% is hard to attain, especially in large quantities. Natural uranium is composed of a small amount (less than 1%) of 235 and over 99% U 238, One way to separate and enrich is to centrifuge gases. Usually Uranium hexafluoride is made, so the difference in MW is 349 to 352 g mol-1. This small difference means the separation is slow and must be done repeatedly with a series of centrifuges.
Next, the reason 235 is used is because U can be split by collisions with neutrons, into two smaller elements (fission), and this process produces more neutrons that can go on to split more U. When the process is controlled, (nuclear reactor) a steady flow of energy boils the water that drives the turbines. The other extreme is that the neutrons are produced exponentially and cause the process to go out of control.
In a reactor, a melt down can occur. Although this is very serious, a reactor could not accidentally reproduce the conditions of a nuclear weapon and detonate.
Your question opens up a large political debate which you can research if you are interested, regarding whether those who enrich uranium are interested in nuclear energy for domestic use or weapons.
I have a video blog entry of nuclear reactors, design, and discussion of radiation on biological systems. You might like to have a look.
Next, the reason 235 is used is because U can be split by collisions with neutrons, into two smaller elements (fission), and this process produces more neutrons that can go on to split more U. When the process is controlled, (nuclear reactor) a steady flow of energy boils the water that drives the turbines. The other extreme is that the neutrons are produced exponentially and cause the process to go out of control.
In a reactor, a melt down can occur. Although this is very serious, a reactor could not accidentally reproduce the conditions of a nuclear weapon and detonate.
Your question opens up a large political debate which you can research if you are interested, regarding whether those who enrich uranium are interested in nuclear energy for domestic use or weapons.
I have a video blog entry of nuclear reactors, design, and discussion of radiation on biological systems. You might like to have a look.
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its possible