Physicists discover new uranium isotope

Category : Science and Tech Published on: April 14 2023

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While studying the atoms of heavy elements, physicists in Japan discovered a previously unknown isotope of uranium, with atomic number 92 and mass number 241, i.e. uranium-241.
There is particular interest in ‘magic number’ nuclei: containing a number of protons or neutrons such that the resulting nucleus is highly stable.
There is particular interest in ‘magic number’ nuclei: containing a number of protons or neutrons such that the resulting nucleus is highly stable.
The heaviest known ‘magic’ nucleus is lead (82 protons).
The researchers accelerated uranium-238 nuclei into plutonium-198 nuclei at the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS). In a process called multinucleon transfer, the two isotopes exchanged protons and neutrons.
Theoretical calculations suggest that uranium-241 may have a half-life of 40 minutes.
The discovery of a new neutron-rich uranium isotope is the first since 1979.
Uranium is a naturally occurring chemical element with the symbol U and atomic number 92.
It is a heavy metal that is radioactive and is found in small amounts in rocks and soil around the world.
Uranium has three isotopes in its natural state, U-234, U-235 and U-238.