- Uranium-239
Infobox isotope
alternate_names = U-239
symbol =U
mass_number =239
mass =
num_neutrons =147
num_protons =92
abundance = 0 (Artificial)
halflife = 23.45 mins
error_halflife =
background = #fc6
text_color =
decay_product =Neptunium-239
decay_symbol =Np
decay_mass = 239
parent =
parent_symbol =
parent_mass =
parent_decay =
parent2 =
parent2_symbol =
parent2_mass =
parent2_decay =
spin =
excess_energy =
error1 =
binding_energy =
error2 =
decay_mode1 =Beta decay 20%
decay_energy1 = 1.28
decay_mode2 =Beta decay 80%
decay_energy2 = 1.21
decay_mode3 =
decay_energy3 =
decay_mode4 =
decay_energy4 = Uranium-239 is an isotope of uranium. It is usually produced by exposinguranium-238 toneutron radiation in a nuclear reactor. Uranium-239 has a half-life of about 23.45 minutes and decays intoneptunium-239 throughbeta decay , with a total decay energy of about 1.29 Mev. [CRC Handbook, 57th Ed. p. B-345] . The most common gamma decay at 74.660 kev accounts for the difference in the two major channels of beta emission energy, at 1.28 and 1.21 Mev. [Ibid. p. B-423]Neptunium-239 further decays to
plutonium-239 , in a second important step which ultimately produces fissile plutonium-239 (used in weapons and for nuclear power), from uranium-238 in reactors.Isotope|element=Uranium
lighter=Uranium-238
heavier=Uranium-240
before=Protactinium-239 "'(β-)
after=Neptunium-239 "'(β-)References
[http://www.euronuclear.org/info/encyclopedia/breeding.htm The European Nuclear Society]
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