Scientists have discovered and synthesized a completely new isotope of the highly radioactive element uranium. But he “lives”
The new isotope, uranium-241, has 92 protons(like all uranium isotopes) and 149 neutrons, making it the first new neutron-rich isotope of uranium discovered since 1979. Although the atoms of a given element always have the same number of protons, different isotopes or versions of these elements may have different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei. To be considered neutron-rich, an isotope must contain more neutrons than normal for that element.
Uranium belongs to the class of periodic elementstables known as “actinides,” they have proton numbers ranging from 89 to 103. All actinides are radioactive, but uranium is one of the four most radioactive elements, along with radium, polonium and thorium.
Half-life curve showing radioactive decay. Image courtesy of Nandalal Sarkar
Scientists have measured the masses of 19 different isotopes.actinides with high precision down to the level of one part per million, ultimately identifying a new isotope of uranium. “This is the first new discovery of a neutron-rich uranium isotope in more than 40 years,” the scientists write.
Read more:
"Sea" of quarks inside one proton: what does an elementary particle consist of
Look at the highest resolution map of Mars: 110,000 frames and 5.7 trillion pixels
Scientists have studied an ultra-bright object that violates the law of physics
Cover photo: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Copyright: Energy Fuels Inc.