Uranium has two naturally occurring isotopes. 238 U has a natural abundance of 99.3% and 235 U has an abundance of 0.7%. It is the rarer 235 U that is needed for nuclear reactors. The isotopes are separated by forming uranium hexafluoride UF6, which is a gas, then allowing it to diffuse through a series of porous membranes. 235 UF6 has a slightly larger rms speed than 238 UF6 and diffuses slightly faster. Many repetitions of this procedure gradually separate the two isotopes. What is the ratio of the rms speed of 235 UF 6 to that of 238 UF6? Express your answer to five significant figures.

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Chapter21: The Kinetic Theory Of Gases
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Problem 21.45AP
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Uranium has two naturally occurring isotopes. 238 U has a natural abundance of 99.3% and 235 U has an abundance of 0.7%. It is the rarer 235 U that is needed for nuclear reactors. The isotopes are separated by
forming uranium hexafluoride UF6, which is a gas, then allowing it to diffuse through a series of porous membranes. 235 UF6 has a slightly larger rms speed than 238 UF6 and diffuses slightly faster. Many
repetitions of this procedure gradually separate the two isotopes. What is the ratio of the rms speed of 235 UF 6 to that of
238 UF6?
Express your answer to five significant figures.
Transcribed Image Text:Uranium has two naturally occurring isotopes. 238 U has a natural abundance of 99.3% and 235 U has an abundance of 0.7%. It is the rarer 235 U that is needed for nuclear reactors. The isotopes are separated by forming uranium hexafluoride UF6, which is a gas, then allowing it to diffuse through a series of porous membranes. 235 UF6 has a slightly larger rms speed than 238 UF6 and diffuses slightly faster. Many repetitions of this procedure gradually separate the two isotopes. What is the ratio of the rms speed of 235 UF 6 to that of 238 UF6? Express your answer to five significant figures.
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