Uranium-235, a crucial isotope in nuclear reactors and weaponry, is defined by its atomic number and mass number. Understanding these numbers is key to determining the number of electrons.
The atomic number of an element represents the number of protons in its nucleus. This number uniquely identifies the element on the periodic table. For uranium (U), the atomic number is 92. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons. Therefore, a neutral uranium-235 atom has 92 electrons.
The mass number (235 in this case) represents the total number of protons and neutrons in the atom's nucleus. While the mass number helps distinguish isotopes of the same element (like uranium-235 and uranium-238), it doesn't directly affect the number of electrons. The number of electrons is solely determined by the atomic number.
What is the difference between uranium-235 and uranium-238?
Uranium-235 and uranium-238 are isotopes of uranium. This means they have the same number of protons (92) and electrons (92), but differ in the number of neutrons. Uranium-235 has 143 neutrons (92 protons + 143 neutrons = 235), while uranium-238 has 146 neutrons (92 protons + 146 neutrons = 238). This difference in neutron number affects their nuclear stability and how they behave in nuclear reactions. Uranium-235 is fissile, meaning it can sustain a chain reaction, whereas uranium-238 is not easily fissile.
How many protons and neutrons does uranium-235 have?
As mentioned above, uranium-235 has 92 protons and 143 neutrons.
What are the uses of uranium-235?
Uranium-235's fissile nature makes it essential for:
- Nuclear power generation: It's used as fuel in nuclear reactors to produce electricity.
- Nuclear weapons: Its ability to sustain a chain reaction is crucial for the functionality of atomic bombs.
Is uranium-235 radioactive?
Yes, uranium-235 is radioactive. It undergoes alpha decay, emitting alpha particles (helium nuclei). This radioactivity is a significant consideration in handling and storing uranium-235.
This information provides a comprehensive understanding of the electron count in uranium-235, differentiating it from other isotopes and highlighting its significance in various applications. Remember that this discussion pertains to neutral uranium-235 atoms. Ions (charged atoms) will have a different number of electrons depending on their charge.
