Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The proximity of energy levels leads to multiple low-energy electron configurations with near equal energy levels. This leads to competing 5f n 7s 2 and 5f n−1 6d 1 7s 2 configurations, which causes the complexity of its chemical behavior.
Plutonium normally has six allotropes and forms a seventh (zeta, ζ) under high temperature and a limited pressure range. [2] [3] [4] These allotropes have very similar energy levels but significantly varying densities and crystal structures.
Plutonium-239 is the primary fissile isotope used for the production of nuclear weapons, although uranium-235 is also used for that purpose. Plutonium-239 is also one of the three main isotopes demonstrated usable as fuel in thermal spectrum nuclear reactors, along with uranium-235 and uranium-233. Plutonium-239 has a half-life of 24,110 years. [1]
The presence of 240 Pu limits the plutonium's use in a nuclear bomb, because a neutron from spontaneous fission starts the chain reaction prematurely, causing an early release of energy that disperses the core before full implosion is reached. This prevents most of the core from participation in the chain reaction and reduces the bomb's yield.
Implosion nuclear weapons require U-232 levels below 50 PPM (above which the U-233 is considered "low grade"; cf. "Standard weapon grade plutonium requires a Pu-240 content of no more than 6.5%." which is 65,000 PPM, and the analogous Pu-238 was produced in levels of 0.5% (5000 PPM) or less).
[13] [14] Computational chemistry methods indicate an enhanced covalent character in the plutonium-ligand bonding. [12] [14] Powders of plutonium, its hydrides and certain oxides like Pu 2 O 3 are pyrophoric, meaning they can ignite spontaneously at ambient temperature and are therefore handled in an inert, dry atmosphere of nitrogen or argon ...
The field office “continues to collect and monitor sediment and water samples in the Acid Canyon area and the results have consistently shown the levels of plutonium remain very low and well ...
Nuclear energy. World Scientific. p. 144. ISBN 978-981-02-4011-0. But there is no doubt that the reactor-grade plutonium obtained from reprocessing LWR spent fuel can readily be used to make high-performance, high-reliability nuclear weaponry, as explained in the 1994 Committee on International Security and Arms Control (CISAC) publication.