Why does U238 have a stable nucleus while U236 splits?

Subject: Why does U238 have a stable nucleus while U236 splits?

Date: Mon Apr 17 17:19:28 2000
Posted by Don Bergstrom
Grade level: teacher/prof School: No school entered.
City: No city entered. State/Province: No state entered. Country: Canada
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 956009968.Ch

Message:


Hi

Hope I am in the right place for questions.

I am a physics teacher in BC, Canada.

I can't seem to find an explanation as to why U238 has a stable nucleus
(relatively speaking) and U236 splits.

I have used the strong nuclear force and electrostatic repulsion  to
explain why the addition of a neutron to a U235 causes the nucleus to
become larger and unstable and undergo fission. True?????

Thanks
        Don Bergstrom

Re: Why does U238 have a stable nucleus while U236 splits?

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