What is the Difference Between Uranium 234 235 and 238?

The main difference between uranium-234 (U-234), uranium-235 (U-235), and uranium-238 (U-238) lies in the number of neutrons in their atomic nuclei and their natural abundance. Here are the key differences:

• Uranium-234 (U-234): This isotope contains 142 neutrons in its nucleus. It is found in natural uranium at a very low concentration, typically less than 0.01%.
• Uranium-235 (U-235): This isotope contains 143 neutrons in its nucleus. It is present in natural uranium at a concentration of about 0.7%. U-235 is fissile, meaning it can sustain a fission chain reaction, making it suitable for use in nuclear reactors and weapons.
• Uranium-238 (U-238): This isotope contains 146 neutrons in its nucleus. It is the most abundant isotope of uranium, making up approximately 99.3% of natural uranium. U-238 is fissionable by fast neutrons and is fertile, meaning it becomes fissile after absorbing one neutron.

All three isotopes contain 92 protons in their nuclei, which is what makes them uranium atoms. The 1.27% difference in mass between U-235 and U-238 allows the isotopes to be separated, making it possible to increase or "enrich" the percentage of U-235.

Comparative Table: Uranium 234 235 vs 238

Uranium-234, Uranium-235, and Uranium-238 are isotopes of uranium, each with a different number of neutrons in their atomic nuclei. Here is a table summarizing the differences between these isotopes:

Uranium-234 is a rare isotope with a natural abundance of around 0.0054% and is primarily found as a decay product of Uranium-238. Uranium-235, on the other hand, is a fissile isotope, meaning it can sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction with thermal neutrons, making it suitable for power generation and nuclear weapons. Uranium-238 is the most common isotope, accounting for 99.28% of natural uranium, and is more stable than Uranium-235.