Exposure to accelerating neutrons from uranium can induce nuclear reactions in other elements, including elements that are not naturally radioactive. This process is known as neutron activation or neutron-induced nuclear reactions.
When high-energy neutrons collide with atomic nuclei, they can cause the nucleus to become unstable and undergo nuclear reactions. These reactions can include nuclear fission, where a heavy nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, as well as other types of reactions like neutron capture, where a nucleus absorbs a neutron, becoming heavier and potentially unstable.
In the context of neutron activation, when a stable nucleus absorbs a neutron, it can transform into a radioactive isotope. This is because the additional neutron alters the balance of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, making it unstable. The newly formed radioactive isotope can then undergo radioactive decay, emitting radiation in the process.
Neutron activation is an essential process in nuclear reactors, where neutrons are deliberately used to induce fission reactions in specific materials, such as uranium or plutonium. The resulting fission reactions release more neutrons, which can go on to cause further fission events and sustain a chain reaction.
In addition to fission reactions, neutron activation can also lead to the production of isotopes through neutron capture. For example, when a stable nucleus captures a neutron, it may transform into a different isotope of the same element or even a different element altogether.
So, while exposure to accelerating neutrons from uranium can induce fission reactions in other elements, the extent and nature of the reactions depend on the specific elements involved, the energy of the neutrons, and the conditions of the interaction.