uranium 238


Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

uranium 238


n.
the radioactive uranium isotope having a mass number of 238, used chiefly in nuclear reactors as a source of the fissionable isotope plutonium 239.
[1940–45]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun 1. [画像:uranium 238 - the commonest isotope of uranium]uranium 238 - the commonest isotope of uranium; it is not fissionable but when irradiated with neutrons it produces fissionable plutonium 239
atomic number 92, uranium, U - a heavy toxic silvery-white radioactive metallic element; occurs in many isotopes; used for nuclear fuels and nuclear weapons
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
Thus it was referred to as a "breeder reactor." When the atoms of Uranium 235 in its fuel core were split, escaping neutrons would bond with an external layer of raw Uranium 238, which would then transform it into Plutonium 239.
"This is a class I emergency": the Fermi 1 accident
Neutron Capture by Uranium 238. Physics Review 58, 475 (1940).
Uranium - The Element: Its Occurrence and Uses
"This left the fuel in a very unstable condition, with actual nuclear fuel complete with uranium 238, 235 and all the fission products, in contact with water.
Another Fukushima waiting to happen.. Whistleblower's photos lay bare risk of disaster Nuclear waste in rotting concrete tanks since 70s
The heavier isotope of uranium 238 in the uranium hexafluoride gas concentrates at the walls of the centrifuge as it spins.
Personal privacy: rest in peace

Full browser ?