This article discusses the 7 most common types of isotopes in nuclear physics, their properties, and applications in medicine, energy, and weapons.
Introduction
Nuclear physics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of the nucleus and its interactions with other particles. Isotopes are one of the fundamental aspects of nuclear physics. They are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei. This difference in the number of neutrons results in different isotopes having different physical properties. In this article, we will discuss the 7 most common types of isotopes in nuclear physics.
Carbon-14
Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon that is used for radiocarbon dating. It has 6 protons and 8 neutrons in its nucleus, giving it a mass number of 14. Carbon-14 is produced naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere and is taken up by living organisms through photosynthesis. When an organism dies, the amount of carbon-14 in its body starts to decay. By measuring the amount of carbon-14 left in a sample, scientists can determine the age of the sample.
Uranium-235
Uranium-235 is a fissile isotope of uranium that is used in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. It has 92 protons and 143 neutrons in its nucleus, giving it a mass number of 235. Uranium-235 can undergo fission when it is struck by a neutron, releasing a large amount of energy. This process is the basis for nuclear power plants and atomic bombs.
Plutonium-239
Plutonium-239 is a fissile isotope of plutonium that is also used in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. It has 94 protons and 145 neutrons in its nucleus, giving it a mass number of 239. Like uranium-235, plutonium-239 can undergo fission when it is struck by a neutron, releasing a large amount of energy.
Tritium
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that is used in nuclear weapons and in nuclear fusion reactions. It has 1 proton and 2 neutrons in its nucleus, giving it a mass number of 3. Tritium is produced naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere, but it is also produced artificially for
