Physicists in Japan have discovered a new isotope of uranium, Uranium-241, which has an atomic number of 92 and a mass number of 241. This is a significant discovery in the field of nuclear physics as it redefines the boundaries of models used to design nuclear power plants and models of exploding stars. Uranium-241 has a half-life of 40 minutes according to theoretical calculations, and it was found using a process called multinucleon transfer.
What is Uranium?
Uranium is a naturally occurring chemical element with the symbol U and atomic number 92. It is a heavy metal that is radioactive and found in small quantities in rocks and soils worldwide. Uranium has several isotopes, which are atoms that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The most common isotopes of uranium are U-235 and U-238.
Discovery of Uranium-241
The discovery of Uranium-241 was made possible by accelerating Uranium-238 nuclei into Plutonium-198 nuclei using the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS). During the process called multinucleon transfer, the two isotopes exchanged protons and neutrons. The resulting nuclear fragments contained different isotopes. The researchers were able to identify Uranium-241 and measure the mass of its nucleus by using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
Significance of the Discovery
The discovery of Uranium-241 is significant as it redefines the boundaries of models used in the design of nuclear power plants and models of exploding stars. It provides essential nuclear information to understand the synthesis of such heavy elements in explosive astronomical events.
Magic Numbers
In nuclear physics, a magic number is a number of nucleons, either protons or neutrons, that are arranged into complete shells within the atomic nucleus. Atomic nuclei with a ‘magic’ number of protons or neutrons are much more stable than other nuclei. The heaviest known ‘magic’ nucleus is lead (82 protons).
Why In News
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists in Japan have identified a new isotope of uranium – Uranium-241 – which has a short half-life of only 40 minutes, based on theoretical calculations.
MCQs about Discovery of a New Uranium Isotope
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What is the atomic number of Uranium-241?
A. 241
B. 92
C. 238
D. 235
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What is multinucleon transfer?
A. A process of accelerating uranium nuclei
B. A process of transferring protons and neutrons between isotopes
C. A process of measuring the mass of a nucleus
D. A process of separating isotopes
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What is the half-life of Uranium-241?
A. 40 minutes
B. 92 minutes
C. 241 minutes
D. 238 minutes
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What is the significance of the discovery of Uranium-241?
A. It redefines the boundaries of models used in the design of nuclear power plants
B. It provides essential information about the synthesis of heavy elements in explosive astronomical events
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above
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