What is the Difference Between Fissile and Fertile Material

Nuclear reactions are the reactions happening at the atomic nuclear level. They release a huge amount of energy through processes such as nuclear fission and fusion. Fissile and fertile materials are two types of materials involved in nuclear reactions.

What is the difference between fissile and fertile material? Fissile material is a material that can sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction with slow-moving neutrons, whereas fertile material is a material that cannot sustain a fission chain reaction on its own but can be converted into fissile material through neutron absorption.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Fissile Material
      – Definition, Features
2. What is Fertile Material
      – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Fissile and Fertile Material
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Fissile and Fertile Material
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Fissile and Fertile Material
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Fissile Material, Fertile Material

What is Fissile Material

Fissile material is a substance that can undergo nuclear reactions. Nuclear reactions are processes where the atomic nucleus is split into smaller nuclei. This process releases a high amount of energy. One major feature of fissile material is its ability to sustain a chain reaction. Additional neutrons are released when a fissile atom is struck by a neutron after splitting. These neutrons initiate fission in other atoms. This is a cascading effect. This process helps to generate electricity in controlled environments like nuclear reactors. In uncontrolled conditions, nuclear reactions lead to huge destructive explosions. A nuclear weapon is an instance where nuclear reactions are performed in uncontrolled conditions.

Uranium-235 and plutonium-239 are the two main fissile materials used commonly in nuclear technology. Uranium -235 naturally occurrs in small quantities. The neutron capture process produces plutonium-239 in nuclear reactors.

What is Fertile Material

Fertile materials cannot sustain a chain reaction on their own. Through the process called neutron capture, fertile material could be transformed into fissile material. Uranium-238 and thorium-232 are the two main fertile materials used in nuclear technology. Within a nuclear reactor, a neutron is absorbed by these fertile materials. Then, they undergo a series of radioactive decays to produce plutonium-239 and uranium-233. This process is required to produce fissile material as an alternative to the consumption of existing fuel in constant operation.

Furthermore, fertile materials help to generate nuclear fuel. It’s also important to note that thorium is a safer and more abundant fertile material than uranium.

Similarities Between Fissile and Fertile Material

1. Fissile and fertile materials are isotopes of heavy elements.
2. Both materials are capable of releasing vast amounts of energy through nuclear reactions.
3. Moreover, the improper handling or disposal of both materials can cause significant environmental damage.
4. In addition, both fissile and fertile materials are subject to strict international regulations and safeguards to prevent misuse.

Difference Between Fissile and Fertile Material

Definition

• Fissile material is a material that can sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction with slow-moving neutrons, whereas fertile material is a material that cannot sustain a fission chain reaction on its own but can be converted into fissile material through neutron absorption.

Fission

• Fissile materials undergo fission upon neutron capture, whereas fertile materials undergo transmutation into fissile material upon neutron capture.

Chain Reaction

• Fissile materials can sustain a chain reaction while fertile materials cannot sustain a chain reaction on their own.

Abundance

• Fissile materials are less abundant in nature than fertile materials.

Examples

• Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239 are examples of fissile materials, whereas Uranium-238 and Thorium-232 are examples of fertile materials.

Conclusion

In brief, the basic difference between fissile and fertile material is their ability to undergo nuclear fission. Fissile materials can undergo nuclear fission directly when struck by a low-energy neutron, while fertile materials cannot undergo nuclear fission directly but can be converted into fissile material.

FAQ: Fissile and Fertile Material 

1. What is the difference between fissile and non fissile?

Fissile materials can undergo nuclear fission with slow-moving neutrons, sustaining a chain reaction. Non-fissile materials require fast-moving neutrons for fission and cannot sustain a chain reaction on their own.

2. Which reactor consists of both fertile and fissile material?

Breeder reactors contain both fertile and fissile material. It uses neutrons to convert fertile material (like uranium-238) into fissile material (like plutonium).

3. Why is uranium-235 a fissile material?

Uranium-235 is a fissile material because it can undergo nuclear fission with slow-moving (thermal) neutrons, releasing energy and more neutrons, sustaining a chain reaction.

4. Is fissile material renewable or nonrenewable?

Fissile material is nonrenewable. It’s a finite resource, mainly uranium, that must be mined. The overall supply is limited and replenishes on geological timescales.

Reference:

1. “Fissile Material.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
2. “Fertile Material.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Nuclear fission reaction” By MikeRun – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia