What occurs in a nuclear power plant when Uranium-235 splits into two smaller isotopes? A nuclear fusion B nuclear fission C a c

Question

yaroslaw [1]

3 years ago

15

What occurs in a nuclear power plant when Uranium-235 splits into two smaller isotopes? A nuclear fusion B nuclear fission C a c

hemical reaction D a neutralization reaction

Physics

1 answer:

Alona [7] · Answer 1 · 2022-08-27T14:46:48+03:00

B) Nuclear fission

Explanation:

Nuclear power plants work by using the process of nuclear fission.

Nuclear fission occurs when a heavy, unstable radioactive nuclei decays, breaking apart into two or more lighter nuclei, more stable. In the process, several neutrons are also released, alongside with energy.

In nuclear power plants, the nucleus used for the process is the Uranium-235. When an atom of uranium-235 absorbs a slow neutron, it becomes a very unstable nucleus of uranium-236, which quickly decays into a nucleus of Barium-141, Kripton-92 and 3 neutrons.

The uranium nuclei are located in the so-called fuel rods, which are placed in a moderator (usually water). The purpose of the moderator is to slow down the neutrons emitted in the reaction: this way, these neutrons can be absorbed by other nuclei of uranium-235, causing more fission reactions to occur.

Learn more about radioactive decay:

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