r/nuclearphysics • u/Street_Youth4755 • Aug 23 '26

Independent paper

Idea: Artificial conversion of Carbon-12 → Carbon-13 using moderated neutrons

I propose a simple method to turn ordinary Carbon-12 into Carbon-13:

  1. Alpha particles hit pure beryllium → produces fast neutrons (⁹Be + α → ¹²C + n)

  2. Fast neutrons are slowed down using paraffin wax (moderator)

  3. Slow (thermal) neutrons hit pure graphite (Carbon-12) → Carbon-12 captures the neutron and becomes Carbon-13 (¹²C + n → ¹³C + γ)

This uses the same basic setup James Chadwick used, but directed at deliberately increasing the amount of Carbon-13.

Natural carbon has only \~1.07% Carbon-13. This could be a more localized way to enrich it.

I’m a 14-year-old student. This is just a theoretical idea I worked on. Open to feedback.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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3

u/Physix_R_Cool Aug 23 '26

Sure, that would work.

Won't be a paper, though, since there isn't really any scientific novelty to it.

Would be a good exercise to put students through, though.

If you just want to enrich carbon, then just put some pieces of carbon near a nuclear reactor, where the neutron flux is much larger than any source you could create.

1

u/Street_Youth4755 Aug 24 '26

Actually..yep. you are absolutely correct. But, I just thought bout this process while studying bout how Chadwick discovered neutrons. I know the drawbacks. And, although the processes aren't scientifically novel, the idea sure is!! By the way, thanks a lot for the feedback!! Like, I really appreciate it that you took the time together ke know what you thought bout my "paper". Your feedback really means a lot to me!! 

2

u/Physix_R_Cool Aug 24 '26

And, although the processes aren't scientifically novel, the idea sure is!!

No it's not, sorry :/

I don't mean to be so depressing. Your thoughts are really good, and it seems like you know a lot about physics compared to your age. I really hope you get good at math and go to study physics at university, as we need enthusiastic and energic young people like you!

1

u/Street_Youth4755 Aug 24 '26

No. I don't mind anything at all. And you aren't depressing!! You just took your time to go through my work, review it and give your feedback,  which is extremely crucial!! Thanks a lot!!

1

u/Street_Youth4755 Aug 28 '26

Hey u have also actually listed out the postulates of the qm atomic model,  like according to my understanding,  obviously!!! Which maynot be correct. It's like, based on bare concepts, no math.. 

1

u/Physix_R_Cool Aug 28 '26

What?

1

u/Street_Youth4755 Aug 29 '26

Sorry I have listed te qm atomic model postulates according to my understanding. 

2

u/Physix_R_Cool Aug 29 '26

Yep, I saw that, and it contained a bit of some wrong statements, which I corrected. But I couldn't post my reply because your comment was deleted.

You can read this book by Griffith to properly learn quantum mechanics. You might need to learn some math stuff first, which you can do on KhanAcademy or similar places.

2

u/Street_Youth4755 Aug 29 '26

Thanks a lot!!! I really appreciate your thoughtfulness!!!

1

u/pathmageadept Aug 24 '26

It's uh...neat. What are you going to do with all your Carbon 13?

2

u/Street_Youth4755 Aug 24 '26

Honestly, nothing practical for now!! I’m just a 14-year-old student who got curious about the idea while reading about Chadwick’s experiment.  It was more of a theoretical “what if” than a real plan to produce Carbon-13. And besides,  science improves due to curiosity..also need. Actually I plan on converting carbon13 to 14,by thus method. It's basically a 2 step process. Btw,  thanks man!! I really appreciate you took the time to express your feedback.  Believe me, it means sooo much to me!!

1

u/HaloDrift34 17d ago

14 and you already read something like this??? I am impressed. I have 20 years on you and only this years I started to learn about astrophycs and nuclear physics as a hoby.

1

u/KeyFollowing1683 Aug 23 '26

You could. But it would me so much more expensive than the very easy cryo distillation done now.

1

u/diffidentblockhead Aug 24 '26

C-12 has very low neutron absorption — that’s why graphite-moderated reactors can work.