To gain nuclear capability, why some countries insist on enriching uranium rather then go plutonium path ?

Answer 1

the separation and use of plutonium presents a different set of hazards:

plutonium is both highly toxic and the raw material for atomic bombs. a large thermal nuclear reactor produces several hundred kilograms of plutonium a year during normal operation. a commercial breeder would require about 3000kgs for its initial fuel inventory - sufficient plutonium for several hundred nuclear weapons. dependence on plutonium entails grave physical and security risks, and the prospects of theft by terrorist groups or foreign states intent on acquiring nuclear weapons. plutonium is already in demand by the weapons states, who wish to increase their nuclear arsenals and by other countries eager to join the growing nuclear club.

Answer 2

You must first enrich uranium to be able to produce plutonium. Plutonium is made by bombarding uranium with neutrons (which happens in a nuclear reactor). So the first step to getting plutonium is to refine the uranium.

Answer 3

You need a nuclear reactor to make plutonium. You just need some good centrifuges to enrich uranium.
In fact, you need to enrich uranium in the first place to fuel the reactor to make the plutonium. If you can do that, it's easier just to enrich it some more to get bomb grade.

Answer 4

plutonium is used in a technique that has a "rifle type" impact from an explosion into the plutonium pellet in order to start a nuclear reaction, uranium is used in a technique that has the uranium surronded by explosives that, when set right, compress the uranium from all directions at once, causing a more powerful nuclear reaction

Answer 5

plutonium requires an enormous amount of highly skilled and extensive fascilitators to store and maintain
while Uranium is not plutonium, it is apart of the family
so enriching uranium is most like practicing to store/ accomodate plutonium

Answer 6

Because it is more efecient, and they only need 100 pounds of inriched uranium to make a nuclear weapon. Which is what they are really trying to do,so they can blow us up. Most of the world hates us because we have the most power here in the U.S. Did you not know the rest of the world hates us?

Answer 7

maybe plutonium is too expensive