its for my science homework...
2006-11-29 12:31:41 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A sample of the starting element is placed inside a nuclear reactor which produces a lot of neutrons, some of which are absorbed by nuclei in the sample. Different nuclides have different affinities for neutron capture.
Polonium 210 has been in the news lately. It's made via this method from bismuth 209. Bismuth 209 captures a neutron to become bismuth 210 and then quickly emits an electron from the nucleus to become polonium 210.
Some artificial nuclides can be produced by bombarding material with protons or electrons from particle accelerators.
Technetium 99 is an artificial nuclide that is used in every modern hospital every day for a variety of tests. Te99 is formed from the fission of uranium. It is extracted from spent fuel rods from reactors.
2006-11-29 14:14:46 · answer #1 · answered by grotereber 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are bombarded with neutrons.
2006-11-29 20:33:13 · answer #2 · answered by kihela 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋