Uranium-235 has a shorter half-life than Uranium-238 therefore, fission and alpha decay is more favorable in Uranium-235, compared to Uranium-238.Uranium-235 is less abundant when compared to Uranium-238.Uranium-235 is slightly lighter than Uranium-238.Uranium-235 has 143 neutrons and Uranium-238 has 146 neutrons.What is the difference between Uranium-235 and Uranium-238? However, it is able to capture a neutron, perform 2 beta decays and become Plutonium-239 which can readily undergo fission. Nuclear fission reaction is slower in U-238. Its half-life is about 4.5 billion years, which indicates very slow nuclear activity. The “238” indicates that the nucleus contains 92 protons and 146 neutrons collectively making a mass of 238. Uranium-238 is the most abundant isotope making up to about 99.3% of the earth’s Uranium content. This gives it the ability to initiate nuclear fission chain reactions. Uranium 235 readily undergoes fission (acquiring a neutron and the nucleus splitting into two). Its half-life (Time taken to half the original sample through nuclear decaying) is nearly 704 million years, which indicates faster nuclear reactivity through alpha decay than its fellow isotope. A nucleus of this contains 92 protons and 143 neutrons: 3 neutrons less than the U-238 which makes it slightly lighter.
Uranium 235 is the second most abundant isotope and makes up to nearly 0.7% of the earth’s Uranium content. These isotopes show similar chemistry but differ in physical properties and nuclear reactivity. The common two isotopes of Uranium are U-235 and U-238. In present applications, Uranium is used in nuclear reactors and military weapons. Its nuclear reactivity is the main reason to heat up the earth’s core and lead to phenomena like continental drift. Uranium is a heavy metal element abundant in the earth’s core.
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