Final answer:
Isotopes known to have induced-fission properties include uranium-235 and plutonium-239, along with other heavy, unstable nuclei suitable for nuclear reactors. These isotopes split when bombarded with neutrons, releasing energy and producing various stable isotopes. Some heavy nuclei undergo spontaneous fission, but elements like uranium and plutonium require induced fission for significant reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
An exhaustive list of isotopes known to have the induced-fission property would include numerous elements, but some of the most significant ones are isotopes of uranium and plutonium.
Among these, uranium-235 (U-235) and plutonium-239 (Pu-239) are the most well-known and widely utilized in nuclear reactors for energy production.
These isotopes undergo fission when bombarded with neutrons, splitting into smaller, more stable nuclei like barium, krypton, lanthanum, and cerium, as well as releasing a significant amount of energy in the process.
Induced fission reactions have also been observed in other heavy isotopes such as those with atomic numbers larger than iron (Fe-56), but having lower binding energies.
Some heavy nuclides tend to decay by spontaneous fission, especially those with atomic numbers Z ≥ 104.
However, elements like uranium (Z = 92) and plutonium (Z = 94) do not undergo significant spontaneous fission but can undergo induced fission.
This nuclear reaction becomes a basis for energy production in nuclear reactors and also plays a role in the creation of nuclear weapons.
It is important to note that the fission process not only produces energy but also results in the creation of many different isotopes as fission products.
Nuclear fission can be controlled in nuclear reactors by starting a chain reaction or by introducing non-radioactive isotopes to prevent one, and PhET Explorations provides simulations to demonstrate how energy production in a nuclear reactor can be controlled.
To assess an isotope's usefulness as a nuclear fuel, attributes such as the number of neutrons and the half-life of the nucleus are considered.