Question

Nuclear chain reactions within power plants do NOT produce bomb-like explosions primarily because the ________.

Answer 1

Answer: D. Density of uranium within nuclear fuel rods is insufficient to become explosive

Explanation: Nuclear power plants use the same fuel as nuclear bombs, i.e. radioactive Uranium-235 isotope. However, in a nuclear power plant, the energy is released more slowly unlike in a nuclear bomb. The energy released is through nuclear fission, and radioactive decay occurs at the same rate as in nuclear bombs. therefore, option A, B and C are incorrect.

The primary reason why nuclear chain reactions within power plants do NOT produce bomb-like explosions is because the uranium fuel rods used in electricity generation is not sufficiently enriched in Uranium-235 to produce a nuclear detonation. This is the same idea in option D which is the correct option.