5.1 Nuclear Fusion

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What is the main difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?

In nuclear fusion, light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, while in nuclear fission, heavy atomic nuclei split into smaller ones. (correct)

In nuclear fusion, light atomic nuclei split into smaller ones, while in nuclear fission, heavy atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.

In nuclear fusion, heavy atomic nuclei split into smaller ones, while in nuclear fission, light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.

In nuclear fusion, heavy atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, while in nuclear fission, light atomic nuclei split into smaller ones.

What is the key fusion reaction involving hydrogen isotopes studied for energy production?

Helium and neon

Carbon and nitrogen

Deuterium and tritium (correct)

Proton and neutron

Why are extremely high temperatures needed in nuclear fusion experiments?

To increase the weight of the atomic nuclei

To reduce the energy released during fusion

To slow down the movement of the atomic nuclei

To overcome the electrostatic repulsion between positively charged atomic nuclei (correct)

What is formed as a result of the fusion of deuterium and tritium?

Helium and a neutron Signup and view all the answers

What is the state of matter called when deuterium and tritium isotopes are heated to extremely high temperatures?

Plasma Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the challenges in achieving practical nuclear fusion?

Maintaining high temperatures and confining the plasma Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a steam generator in a nuclear power plant?

Converting heat into electricity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of a Nuclear Power Plant?

Nuclear Reactor Signup and view all the answers

Why must a heat exchanger in a nuclear power plant's steam generator be leak-proof?

To prevent radioactive contamination of the environment Signup and view all the answers

Which reactor type can produce only saturated steam?

Pressurized Water Reactor Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage specific to a Boiling Water Reactor compared to a Pressurized Water Reactor?

Difficulty in fuel reprocessing Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the secondary side of a steam generator in a nuclear power plant?

Condensing steam back into water Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the primary circuit is responsible for keeping the water at high pressure in a Pressurized Water Reactor?

Reactor Pressuriser Signup and view all the answers

How does a steam generator contribute to maintaining safety in a nuclear power plant operation?

By separating radioactive coolant from non-radioactive water/steam Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using water as a coolant, moderator, and reflector in a Pressurized Water Reactor?

Easy accessibility for inspection and maintenance Signup and view all the answers

Which factor makes sodium a suitable coolant for nuclear reactors according to the text?

It retains mechanical strength at high temperatures Signup and view all the answers

Why does a Boiling Water Reactor eliminate the heat exchanger circuit present in a Pressurized Water Reactor?

To gain thermal efficiency and cost savings Signup and view all the answers

In a Pressurized Water Reactor, what acts as both a coolant and moderator?

Light Water Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

Nuclear fission involves splitting atoms, while nuclear fusion involves merging atoms. Signup and view all the answers

Why are fusion reactions in stars and the sun called thermonuclear reactions?

Because they occur at extremely high temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of neutron bombardment in initiating nuclear fission?

To cause the nucleus to split into smaller nuclei. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reaction is essential for the functioning of nuclear power plants?

Controlled chain reaction Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the energy released during nuclear fusion?

It is several times greater than that released during fission reactions. Signup and view all the answers

How do artificially-accelerated particle reactions differ from sustaining fusion reactions?

They are not significant for nuclear energy utilization. Signup and view all the answers

What type of reaction is characteristic of stars like the sun?

Nuclear fusion Signup and view all the answers

Which process occurs in an atomic bomb?

Nuclear fission Signup and view all the answers

What role does an intermediate heat-transfer loop play in a nuclear-fueled power-producing system?

Increases isolation of the radioactive reactor coolant from the conventional power-producing equipment Signup and view all the answers

How do hydrogen bombs differ from atomic bombs in terms of their underlying principle?

Hydrogen bombs work based on nuclear fusion, while atomic bombs work based on nuclear fission Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of heavy water in a CANDU reactor?

Coolant and moderator Signup and view all the answers

What is the key advantage of a BWR over a PWR in terms of steam temperature?

Higher steam outlet temperature Signup and view all the answers

Why does a BWR reactor not require a thicker vessel despite the lower pressure inside?

Boiling limits power density Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a CANDU reactor from light-water reactors (LWRs) in terms of moderator and coolant?

Moderator and coolant are separate Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reactor uses sodium as a coolant and graphite as a moderator?

Sodium-graphite reactor Signup and view all the answers

What is the disadvantage of a BWR related to fuel burnout compared to a PWR?

Higher possibility of fuel burnout Signup and view all the answers

Why is the natural uranium used as fuel in CANDU reactors considered economical for some countries?

Enrichment of uranium is not required Signup and view all the answers

What role does the heavy water play in the CANDU reactor regarding neutrons?

Moderating neutrons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of liquid sodium in a sodium-graphite reactor?

Coolant and moderator Signup and view all the answers

Why does a liquid metal-cooled reactor require shielding around the primary loop?

To prevent contact with air Signup and view all the answers

5.1 Nuclear Fusion

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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?

What is the key fusion reaction involving hydrogen isotopes studied for energy production?

Why are extremely high temperatures needed in nuclear fusion experiments?

What is formed as a result of the fusion of deuterium and tritium?

What is the state of matter called when deuterium and tritium isotopes are heated to extremely high temperatures?

What is one of the challenges in achieving practical nuclear fusion?

What is the primary function of a steam generator in a nuclear power plant?

What is the main component of a Nuclear Power Plant?

Why must a heat exchanger in a nuclear power plant's steam generator be leak-proof?

Which reactor type can produce only saturated steam?

What is a disadvantage specific to a Boiling Water Reactor compared to a Pressurized Water Reactor?

What is the role of the secondary side of a steam generator in a nuclear power plant?

Which component of the primary circuit is responsible for keeping the water at high pressure in a Pressurized Water Reactor?

How does a steam generator contribute to maintaining safety in a nuclear power plant operation?

What is the advantage of using water as a coolant, moderator, and reflector in a Pressurized Water Reactor?

Which factor makes sodium a suitable coolant for nuclear reactors according to the text?

Why does a Boiling Water Reactor eliminate the heat exchanger circuit present in a Pressurized Water Reactor?

In a Pressurized Water Reactor, what acts as both a coolant and moderator?

What is the main difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

Why are fusion reactions in stars and the sun called thermonuclear reactions?

What is the role of neutron bombardment in initiating nuclear fission?

Which type of reaction is essential for the functioning of nuclear power plants?

What is the significance of the energy released during nuclear fusion?

How do artificially-accelerated particle reactions differ from sustaining fusion reactions?

What type of reaction is characteristic of stars like the sun?

Which process occurs in an atomic bomb?

What role does an intermediate heat-transfer loop play in a nuclear-fueled power-producing system?

How do hydrogen bombs differ from atomic bombs in terms of their underlying principle?

What is the primary function of heavy water in a CANDU reactor?

What is the key advantage of a BWR over a PWR in terms of steam temperature?

Why does a BWR reactor not require a thicker vessel despite the lower pressure inside?

What differentiates a CANDU reactor from light-water reactors (LWRs) in terms of moderator and coolant?

Which type of reactor uses sodium as a coolant and graphite as a moderator?

What is the disadvantage of a BWR related to fuel burnout compared to a PWR?

Why is the natural uranium used as fuel in CANDU reactors considered economical for some countries?

What role does the heavy water play in the CANDU reactor regarding neutrons?

What is the primary function of liquid sodium in a sodium-graphite reactor?

Why does a liquid metal-cooled reactor require shielding around the primary loop?

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