Question

Is Uranium more dangerous than Plutonium?

Answer 1

1. The isotope of Plutonium-239 found in used MOX fuel is significantly more radioactive than the fuel's depleted Uranium-238.
2. Instead of emitting beta or gamma radiation, plutonium releases highly ionizing alpha radiation.
3. An atom's nucleus displays radioactivity as a result of nuclear instability.
4. Radiation that is released from the unstable nucleus of an atom causes energy to be lost.
5. The electrical force of repulsion and the potent nuclear forces that attract each other maintain the nucleus together.
6. In the natural world, these two forces are regarded as being exceedingly powerful.
7. Because the mass of the nucleus grows significantly when concentrated, the likelihood of experiencing instability rises as the nucleus size increases.
8. Because of this, Plutonium and Uranium atoms are incredibly unstable and exhibit radioactivity.
9. Due to its higher radioactivity, plutonium is more hazardous than uranium.

Hence, plutonium is more dangerous than uranium.