Nuclear transmutation

Nuclear transmutation is the process by which one chemical element or an isotope (atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons) changes into another chemical element. This is a natural process that occurs in various forms in nature, but it can also be achieved artificially in nuclear reactors, particle accelerators, or radionuclide generators.

Natural transmutation

Natural transmutation occurs in radioactive elements through radioactive decay. This process involves the emission of particles such as alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays, which results in the transformation of the element into a different isotope or element. For example, Uranium-238 naturally transmutes into Thorium-234 through alpha decay.

Artificial transmutation

Artificial transmutation is achieved in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. In a nuclear reactor, neutrons are used to bombard the nucleus of an atom, causing it to absorb the neutron and become unstable. This instability leads to the emission of particles and the transmutation of the atom into a different element. Particle accelerators, on the other hand, use high-energy particles to cause transmutation.

Applications

Nuclear transmutation has several applications. It is used in the production of radioisotopes for medical and industrial uses, in the generation of energy in nuclear reactors, and in the disposal of nuclear waste through transmutation of nuclear waste.

See also

• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear fusion
• Radioactive decay
• Particle accelerator
• Nuclear reactor