Does U-235's Higher Likelihood of Fission Make It More Useful Than U-238?

[textbooks]

U-235 is most suitable for bombardment by slow neutrons 'cause it becomes U-236,providing for a more balanced nucleus. So if the electron shells are arranged something like 2,4,8,16,32,18,8,2 the atomic number only changes, in this case, because of an additional neutron. Is this element in a more harmonic state now, is this why it is useful? and U-238; would the same be true simply because it has an even atomic number after bombardment? "Anddoes U-238 have the same electron numbers in their respective shells?
L8R

 

[Astronuc]

Please show some work and attempt to answer one's questions.

What is common among isotopes of any element?

U-235 is one of the fissile or fissionable isotopes, whereas U-238 is considered fertile.

 

[nlightner]

I would like to clarify and expand upon the information provided in the content. U-235 is most suitable for bombardment by slow neutrons because it has a higher likelihood of undergoing fission, which is the splitting of the atom into smaller fragments. This process releases a large amount of energy, making it useful for nuclear power and weapons.

When U-235 absorbs a slow neutron, it becomes U-236, which has a more balanced nucleus due to the additional neutron. This can be explained by the concept of nuclear stability, where atoms with a more balanced number of protons and neutrons in their nucleus are more stable. This is why U-235 is more likely to undergo fission compared to other uranium isotopes.

The statement about the electron shells (2,4,8,16,32,18,8,2) is not entirely accurate. While the atomic number does increase by one due to the additional neutron, the arrangement of electrons in an atom is more complex and follows specific energy levels and sublevels. The electron configuration of U-235 and U-236 would be different due to the change in the number of neutrons.

U-238 also has an even atomic number, but it is not as suitable for bombardment by slow neutrons because it has a lower likelihood of undergoing fission. This is because U-238 is a more stable isotope, and the additional neutron does not significantly affect its stability. However, U-238 can still undergo fission through a different process called neutron capture.

In conclusion, U-235 is useful for bombardment by slow neutrons because it has a higher likelihood of undergoing fission due to its more balanced nucleus. U-238 also has an even atomic number, but it is not as suitable for bombardment by slow neutrons due to its higher stability. The electron configuration of these isotopes would be different due to the change in the number of neutrons.