The Most Important Element

As you can imagine, many elements are used in the generation of nuclear energy, but which is the most important? Search the internet for elements used in the generation of nuclear energy and decide which is the most important. There is no specific correct answer. This is strictly opinion, but you must justify your choice. Respond to at least two other posts.



   


Responses:


James Doran

Samarium is my most important element because of its high thermal neutron absorption cross section. It is produced from the decay of neodymium, a U-235 fission fragment. Samarium is known a a neutron poison. A poison is an element that essentially sucks up neutrons and limits the fission process. There are times, in fact, when neutron poisons can suck up so many neutrons that they literally shut a reactor down.