Tag: nuclear physics

Questions Related to nuclear physics

In a nuclear power plant, uranium atoms

chemistry nuclear physics nuclear reactor the nuclear power station isotopes and nuclear chemistry

  1. combine and give off heat energy

  2. split and give off heat energy

  3. burn and give off heat energy

  4. split and give off electrons

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Correct Option: B
Explanation:

A nuclear reactor produces and controls the release of energy from splitting the atoms of Uranium. Nuclear plants do not burn anything to create steam. Instead they split uranium atoms in a process of fission

Boron rods are used in nuclear reactor as

chemistry nuclear physics nuclear reactor the nuclear power station isotopes and nuclear chemistry

  1. moderator

  2. control rods

  3. coolant

  4. protective shield

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Correct Option: B
Explanation:
Control rods are used in nuclear reactors to control the fission rate of uranium an plutonium. They are composed of chemical elements such as boron, silver, indium and cadmium that are capable of absorbing many neutrons without themselves fissioning
The wide absorption spectrum of boron makes it suitable as neutron shield

High energy neutrons are used in a nuclear reactor to initiate the fission reaction.

chemistry nuclear physics nuclear reactor the nuclear power station isotopes and nuclear chemistry

  1. True

  2. False

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Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Slow moving/low energy neutrons are used to initiate the fission reaction

Which of the following controls the chain reaction in a nuclear reactor?

chemistry nuclear physics nuclear reactor the nuclear power station isotopes and nuclear chemistry

  1. Molecules of high energy

  2. Ions

  3. Active hydrogen

  4. Moderator

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Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Moderator is used in nuclear reaction as  it can slow down the fast nuclear chain reaction by slowing down the neutron from fission to thermal energies.

In a nuclear reactor, the moderator used is

chemistry nuclear physics nuclear reactor the nuclear power station isotopes and nuclear chemistry

  1. uranium - 234

  2. uranium-238

  3. cadmium

  4. heavy water

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Correct Option: D
Explanation:
A moderator in a nuclear reactor is used to slow down the neutrons.
Heavy water is considered as best moderator because it does not absorb a lot of neutrons and also slows down neutrons efficiently.

Which of the following is a good nuclear fuel?

chemistry nuclear physics nuclear reactor the nuclear power station isotopes and nuclear chemistry

  1. uranium_236

  2. neptunium_239

  3. thorium_236

  4. plutonium-239

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Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Plutonium-239 is an isotope of plutonium. Plutonium-239 is the primary fissile isotope used for the production of nuclear weapons.

In a nuclear reactor

chemistry nuclear physics nuclear reactor the nuclear power station isotopes and nuclear chemistry

  1. the chain reaction is kept under control by rods of cadmium, which reduces the rate

  2. the thick concrete shield is used to slow down the speed of fast neutrons

  3. heavy water (or graphite) moderate the activity of the reactor

  4. out of $U^{238}$ and $U^{235}$ natural uranium has less that 1% of $U^{235}$

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Correct Option: A,C,D
Explanation:

Heavy water or Graphite are used as coolants and thick concrete shields are used to prevent radiation.

The phenomenon of nuclear fission can be carried out both in a controlled and in an uncontrolled way. Out of the following, the correct statements vis-avis these phenomena are

chemistry nuclear physics nuclear reactor the nuclear power station isotopes and nuclear chemistry

  1. the fission energy released per reaction is much more than conventional nuclear reactions and one of the products of the reaction is that very particle which initiates the reaction

  2. it is the "surface to volume" ratio of the sample of nuclear fuel used which determines whether or not the reaction would sustain itself as a "chain reaction"

  3. the "control rods" in a nuclear reactor must be made of a material that absorbs neutrons effectively

  4. the energy released per fission as well as energy released per unit mass of the fuel in nuclear fission are both greater than the corresponding quantities for nuclear fusion

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Correct Option: A,B,C
Explanation:

Statements (a), (b) and (c) are correct because of following reasons:

$1)$ If nuclear reactions are to be continued, it is necessary that one of the products works for initiating the reaction further.
For example, in the fission $^{235}U$, $3$ neutrons are released which cause fission of further three $^{235}U$ atoms.
$2)$ There are certain value of surface to volume ratio of the sample of nuclear fuel used which should be satisfied so as the fission can occur.
$3)$ Basically, the fission is continuously carried out due to production of neutrons.
In order to control the reaction, the neutrons should be absorbed.