What are some important actinides used in nuclear energy?

Here are some important actinides used in nuclear energy, along with their roles:

1. Uranium (U)
   • U-235: Fissile isotope used as fuel in nuclear reactors and weapons.
   • U-238: Not fissile, but can be converted into plutonium-239 in reactors.
2. Plutonium (Pu)
   • Pu-239: Fissile isotope made from U-238; used as reactor fuel and in nuclear weapons.
   • Pu-241: Another fissile isotope used in reactors.
3. Thorium (Th)
   • Th-232: Not fissile, but can absorb neutrons to become U-233, which is fissile.
   • Used in thorium-based nuclear reactors as an alternative to uranium.
4. Neptunium (Np)
   • Np-237: Can be used in nuclear fuel and for producing Pu-238 for radioisotope power sources.
5. Americium (Am)
   • Used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) to power spacecraft.

In short:

• Uranium and plutonium are the main actinides for energy production.
• Thorium is an alternative fuel.
• Neptunium and americium have specialized uses.