Question

difference between uranium and plutonium

Answer 1

Plutonium (Pu) and Uranium (U) are just two completely different elements. The both happen to be radioactive and some of their isotopes are considered fissile material since they are capable of sustaining a nuclear reaction.

Plutonium is a transuranic element with an atomic number of 94 and is not found in nature. It was first made in 1940. It is entirely man made. although is is a bright silvery white metal, it rapidly tarnishes in air to a dull grey. It is very reactive in moist air and the reaction products make it seem to swell up, some of the reaction products catching fire. In addition, a lump of Pu will self heat because of its radioactivity and can glow red hot: It is the metal of choice for making fission nuclear weapons.

Uranium is another metal that is slightly radioactive and was discovered in 1789. It is silvery white and corrodes to a black oxide in air. It is a naturally occurring element that is usually used in nuclear reactors. It is also used to make armor piercing projectiles that can easily go through the armor on a tank.

Because they have different chemical properties, they can be separated using chemical means. The method called Purex uses ion exchange techniques to separate them.

Answer 2

Uranium and plutonium are two different elements. They both are radioactive and some of their isotopes considered fissile material. Plutonium has an atomic number of 94 and it is not found in nature. It was first made in 1940. It is very reactive in moist air. Uranium is another element which is least radioactive than plutonium. It was discovered in 1789.