Sodium metal could not be directly irradiated in a nuclear reactor to produce radioactive material because?

Boutte

a) It does not become radioactive; b) It is highly reactive solid; c) It oxidises at the temperature of the reactor; d) It is in a liquid state. it's a radiochem question, anyone have any ideas?



Oxford

At the risk of exposing my ignorance, it seems to me that Na-23 would absorb neutrons to form Na-24, which is a 15-hour beta-minus emitter.



Lansdale

b) It is highly reactive solidbecause a and d are not true and c needs more information.



Metamora

The answer is a), because all of the isotopes of sodium are stable. Or, another way to say it is that none of the isotopes of sodium are radioactive.