2. Neutron activation analysis

2.1 Nuclear reactions involved

The most likely and simplest nuclear reaction is the (n,γ) reaction produced by low-energy neutrons known as thermal neutrons (E _25C = 0.025 eV). This reaction leads to isotopes that have one more neutron in their nucleus than the stable isotopes that gave rise to them, and whose chemical properties they retain. The 82 natural elements from hydrogen to bismuth contain 270 stable or very long-lived isotopes, from which it is possible to create nearly 200 radioactive isotopes by reaction (n,γ),...