Question

Which describes how transuranium elements are made in a lab?

Answer 1

Transuranium elements are those elements with atomic numbers more than 92. They are radioactive in nature and can be produced in laboratories by capturing the neutrons. This capture is done by the bombardment of the desired transuranium element and slow neutrons with each other. Following this, a beta decay operation is carried out to increase the atomic number of the element.

Answer 2

A transuranium element can be synthesized by the artificial transmutation of a lighter element. Transmutation refers to the conversion of atoms of one element to atoms of another. It does not involve a chemical change instead it involves a nuclear change. Artificial transmutations occur when the atomic nuclei are bombarded with high-energy particles like protons, neutrons or alpha particles.

The transuranium elements are also known as transuranic elements. The atomic number of uranium is 92. Transuranium are chemical elements which have atomic numbers greater than 92. They are unstable. They are radioactive and are usually not found in nature.

They can be artificially generated via particle accelerators or nuclear reactors. It is difficult and expensive to produce heavy transuranic elements. Their prices increase with the atomic number.