Question

What are the nuclear reactions required to produce `""_""^239 Pu` from `""_""^238 U` under fast neutron bombardment?

I know that `""_""^238 U` almost never fissions, but instead tends to absorb neutrons, producing neptunium and plutonium.

Answer 1

See the reaction below

Explanation:

The reactions are

`""_92^238U+""_0^1n rarr ""_92^239U`

`""^239 U rarr "" ^ 239 Np + ""_-1 ^0 e`, Emission `beta^-`

`"" ^ 239 Np rarr "" ^ 239 Pu + ""_-1 ^0 e`, Emission `beta^-`