The irradiation of uranium-238 with neutrons causes the uranium-238 nucleus to absorb a neutron and become uranium-239. Uranium-239 then undergoes beta decay, emitting an electron and becoming neptunium-239. Neptunium-239 then undergoes beta decay, emitting an electron and becoming plutonium-239.
The production of plutonium is a complex and dangerous process. It requires a nuclear reactor, which is a facility that can produce a sustained chain reaction of nuclear fission. The nuclear reactor is used to irradiate uranium-238 with neutrons. The irradiated uranium-238 is then removed from the reactor and processed to extract the plutonium.
Plutonium is used in a variety of nuclear applications, including nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.
