What is uranium and plutonium???Why is it so radioactive???

Question

Thanks for the detailed answer...tom science

Answer 1

They are elements with a large number of protons and neutrons in their nucleus. This causes the nucleus to be unstable if the ratio of the number of protons to that of the neutrons is not within the stability zone, hence it decays to form more stable elements with a smaller number of nucleons (these are protons and neutrons). In the decay process, it may emit alpha particles, beta particles or gamma rays (or a combination of 2 or 3), which makes it radioactive, because radioactivity is the emission of these particles when an element decays to achieve stability.

Answer 2

There are four fundemental forces in the Universe. Electromagnetic force, Gravitational force, Strong force, and Weak force. Weak force is the force that determines decay in molecules,
Weak nuclear forces are responsible for radioactivity and also for exhibiting some peculiar symmetry features not seen with the other forces. Uranium and Plutonium are elements that exhibit great weak nuclear force. The weak force drives radioactive decays that:

- help generate sunlight,
- enable advanced medical diagnosis and treatment,
- help determine the age of organic materials from carbon isotope abundances,
- help determine the age of the earth from uranium isotope abundances
- provide heating for the Earth and an energy source for plate tectonics, through the decays of Uranium, Thorium and Potassium.

Answer 3

I was just reading this last week. Uranium is the raw metal and plutonium is the refined product. Plutonium is the densest material on the planet and so when we square it times the speed of light it gives out the most power; thus it's the most perfect product to start a nuclear explosion. they would use pultonium for all of the explosive capability in a nuclear bomb but it's hard to find it in large quantities so hydrogen is used instead.

It's naturally radioactive because when something is that dense then it naturally,,,,,, oh heck, it's indepth, but basically it's to do with it's density and it's unstability.

Answer 4

Actinide element numbering 92 in periodic table with a density of 19grams/cubic centimeter ,melting point about 1132 degree centigrade.The heaviest of naturally occuring elements.It has no stable isotopes,but commonest U238 has a half life period of 10 power 9 years,Uranium compounds are now used almost exclusively for conversion to plutonium in nuclear applications
Plutonium element number is 94 in periodic table essentially a synthetic element .density of it is 19.8 grams/cubic centimeter.melting point is 641degrees.First prepared by Neutron bombardment of uranium.Its most stable isotope Pu238 has a half life of nearly 25000years.It is mainly noted for its use in nuclear reactor as a fissile nuclear fuel

The emission of particles and energy by spontaneous decay of atomic nuclei is greater in Uranium and plutonium ,particles having greater penitrating lengths like alpha ,beta,gamma are in the emission arena so they are said to be Highly radioactive elements

Answer 5

Uranium and plutonium are both made out of marshmellows, and when consumed they will make your eyes spark, and your head turn in circles.

Answer 6

maybe bcoz they hav extra proton and neutron. Not all Uranium molecules are radioactive.

Answer 7

The decays in isotopes is really a probability function.

Answer 8

Their n/p ratio is way above normal. so they are unstable