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by adrian_b
1387 days ago
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While Pu-238 is an alpha emitter, so it is difficult to capture the decay energy in any other way than by converting heat into electrical energy, for the radioactive isotopes that are beta emitters there is an alternative where the nuclear batteries function in a way very similar to a chemical battery. The beta decaying substance is connected electrically to one electrode of a capacitor, while the electrons emitted due to the beta decay are able to pass through the insulating layer of the capacitor, reaching the other electrode. Thus the capacitor is charged directly by the beta-decay and it can provide electrical energy to the external circuit. |
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