Thorium-232 is a naturally occurring, fertile isotope of thorium that can be converted into the fissile isotope uranium-233 through neutron absorption and subsequent beta decay, making it a potential fuel for nuclear reactors. Its abundance and potential for producing less long-lived radioactive waste compared to uranium and plutonium make it an attractive option for sustainable nuclear energy production.

Thorium-232

Fertile isotope

Fissile isotope

Uranium-233 is a fissile isotope of uranium that can be bred from thorium-232 in a nuclear reactor, making it a potential fuel for thorium-based nuclear power. It has a half-life of 159,200 years and can sustain a nuclear chain reaction, but its production and use are complicated by the presence of highly radioactive contaminants and proliferation concerns.

Uranium-233

Neutron absorption is a nuclear reaction in which a neutron is absorbed by a nucleus, often resulting in a nuclear reaction such as fission or the formation of a radioactive isotope. This process is crucial in nuclear reactors for controlling the rate of fission reactions and in various applications like neutron capture therapy and isotope production.

Neutron Absorption

Beta decay is a radioactive process in which an unstable atomic nucleus transforms into a more stable one by emitting a beta particle, which can be either an electron or a positron. This process results in the conversion of a neutron to a proton or vice versa, altering the atomic number of the element while conserving charge and energy.

Beta Decay

Nuclear reactors are devices used to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction, primarily for electricity generation or research purposes. They operate on the principle of nuclear fission, where the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, releasing a significant amount of energy in the process.

Concepts

Relevant Degrees

Your Lessons