Chapter 10 Multiple choice questions

. Different types of nuclear radiation are described in Section 10.3. What is a beta particle?

. Section 10.3 also describes radioactive decay. Iodine 131 has a half-life of 8 days, i.e. the activity from a particular sample falls by a half in that number of days. How many days from the start will it take to reach 1/8th of its original activity?

. Section 10.4 describes nuclear fission. When uranium 235 absorbs a fast neutron, it splits into two smaller atoms, fission products, such as krypton 89 and barium 144 and some surplus neutrons. Why are these neutrons so important?

. Box 10.6 describes moderators. What is the function of a moderator in a conventional fission reactor?

. Section 10.4 also describes the breeding of plutonium 239 from uranium 238. What intermediate element is produced in this process?

. Section 10.6 describes different types of thermal fission reactors. Which type matches the following description: The reactor is cooled by carbon dioxide which is then pumped through a boiler to raise steam to drive turbines.

. Which type of reactor uses heavy water as a moderator and coolant?

. The nuclear fuel cycle is described in Section 10.7. Fission reactors require uranium 235. Why can't this simply be separated from uranium 238 chemically?

. What is the main constituent of spent fuel from a pressurized water reactor?

. Fast neutron reactors are described in Section 10.8. What is the key difference between these and conventional thermal fission reactors?

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