The two spectra below summarize the relative abundances of xenon isotopes (values are…

PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation

Problem

The two spectra below summarize the relative abundances of xenon isotopes (values are given as percentages of total xenon atoms). Natural xenon:

^{129}\text{Xe}

26 %,

^{131}\text{Xe}

21 %,

^{132}\text{Xe}

27 %,

^{134}\text{Xe}

10 %,

^{136}\text{Xe}

11 % Reactor-grade xenon:

^{129}\text{Xe}

30 %,

^{131}\text{Xe}

25 %,

^{132}\text{Xe}

30 %,

^{134}\text{Xe}

11 %,

^{136}\text{Xe}

4 % Describe what has happened to the abundance of

^{136}\text{Xe}

in the reactor-grade sample compared with natural xenon and suggest one plausible nuclear or industrial process that could account for this change.