Many fear that helping additional nations develop nuclear power reactor technology will increase the likelihood of nuclear war because reactors can be used not only to produce energy but, as a by-product through neutron capture with inexpensive , to make , which is a “fuel” for nuclear bombs (breeder reactors). We have to identify simple series of reactions involving neutron capture and beta decay that would yield this plutonium isotope.

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A nucleus on neutron capture will form the isotope . The nucleus will undergo a beta decay and form and the nuclear process will be

The nucleus will undergo a beta decay and produce nuclide. The beta decay process will be