The enrichment dilemma Uranium-235 is an isotope of uranium, which is a version of an element that has the same basic identity but weighs a little more or less. Think about apples from the same tree.

The difference between uranium-238 and uranium-235 When we dig uranium out of the ground, 99.27% of it is uranium-238, which has 92 protons and 146 neutrons.

Uranium is a radioactive element that plays a pivotal role in the generation of nuclear energy, but it’s also a highly controversial material. Found naturally in the Earth's crust, uranium is ...

Bombs require its lighter cousin, uranium-235 (U-235), which makes up just 0.7% of natural uranium. Depleted uranium out 1.2 metres tall Gas centrifuge ...

Only 0.72% of it is uranium-235 with 92 protons and 143 neutrons (the remaining 0.01% are other isotopes). For nuclear power reactors or weapons, we need to change the isotope proportions.

Because uranium-235 is a little lighter than uranium-238, it moves outward more slowly when spun, and the two isotopes separate. It’s sort of like how a salad spinner separates water from lettuce.

Centrifuges exploit the fact that uranium-238 is about 1% heavier than uranium-235. They take uranium (in gas form) and at 50,000 to 70,000 rotations per minute, with the outer walls of the ...