U-235
Reactor core material
U-235 is the isotope of uranium with 235 nucleons—92 protons and 143 neutrons.
Unlike the more common U-238, U-235 is fissile: it can sustain a nuclear chain reaction when struck by neutrons.
This property makes it the fuel for nuclear reactors and the explosive core of atomic weapons.
Natural uranium contains less than one percent U-235, so enrichment concentrates it for practical use.
Spinning density-separation device
- yellowcakeConcentrated uranium oxide powder
- weapons-gradeEnriched for military use
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
- tailsRear animal appendages
First nuclear-struck city
- gun-typeNuclear detonation method
- implosionViolent collapse inward
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
- non-proliferationLimiting weapons spread
IAEA · safeguards · stockpile · deterrent · megatons · kilotons · Trinity
Radioactive isotope, atomic weight 234
- nuclideAtom classified by nucleus
- primordialExisting from the start
- radioisotopeUnstable atomic nucleus variant
- actinideHeavy radioactive metal series
Dividing into parts
- fissileAble to split apart
- moderatorOne who presates proceedings
- criticalityState of utmost importance
- supercriticalBeyond a critical threshold
subcritical · cross-section · multiplication · meltdown · scram · breeding · fertile
Period for fifty-percent reduction
- curieUnit of radioactive decay
- dosimeterExposure measurement device
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- shieldingProtecting from harm
centrifuge
Spinning density-separation device
- yellowcakeConcentrated uranium oxide powder
- weapons-gradeEnriched for military use
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
Hiroshima
First nuclear-struck city
- gun-typeNuclear detonation method
- implosionViolent collapse inward
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
non-proliferation · IAEA · safeguards · stockpile · deterrent · megatons · kilotons · Trinity
uranium-234
Radioactive isotope, atomic weight 234
- nuclideAtom classified by nucleus
- primordialExisting from the start
- radioisotopeUnstable atomic nucleus variant
splitting
Dividing into parts
- fissileAble to split apart
- moderatorOne who presates proceedings
- criticalityState of utmost importance
supercritical · subcritical · cross-section · multiplication · meltdown · scram · breeding · fertile
half-life
Period for fifty-percent reduction
- curieUnit of radioactive decay
- dosimeterExposure measurement device
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
reactor
Controlled fission apparatus
- Manhattan ProjectManhattan Project, Los Alamos, Trinity test, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Oppenheimer
- uranium enrichmenturanium enrichment, enriched uranium, centrifuge, cascade, depleted uranium
- Nuclear Materialsuranium, plutonium, enriched uranium, plutonium-239, weapons-grade uranium
- Uraniumyellowcake, uranium mining, uranium enrichment, enriched uranium, depleted uranium
U-235solar power
Energy derived from sunlight
renewable energy · clean energy · hydroelectric power · geothermal energy · fossil fuels