Answer: The 235U isotope undergoes fission when bombarded

QUESTION:

The \({ }^{235} \mathrm{U}\) isotope undergoes fission when bombarded with neutrons. However, its natural abundance is only 0.72 percent. To separate it from the more abundant \({ }^{238} \mathrm{U}\) isotope, uranium is first converted to \(U F_{6}\), which is easily vaporized above room temperature. The mixture of the \({ }^{235} U F_{6}\) and \({ }^{238} U F_{6}\) gases is then subjected to many stages of effusion. Calculate the separation factor, that is, the enrichment of \({ }^{235} \mathrm{U}\) relative to \({ }^{238} \mathrm{U}\) after one stage of effusion.