Question 1

Indian heavy water (D2O) production sites: identify the location that does not host a heavy water plant (consider the standard list used in nuclear engineering GK).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Heavy water (chemical formula D2O) is a key material for certain reactor types such as Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). India set up multiple heavy water plants to ensure a domestic supply. Many competitive exams ask you to identify which locations genuinely host these plants versus lookalike industrial towns that do not. Given Data / Assumptions: We must choose the location that is not a heavy water plant site. Commonly cited Indian heavy water locations include Kota, Baroda (Vadodara), Talcher, Tuticorin, Thal, and Manuguru. Some industrial areas (e.g., Korba) are power/fertiliser hubs but not heavy water sites. Concept / Approach: Match each option against India’s known heavy water plant map. Kota (Rajasthan) and Baroda/Vadodara (Gujarat) are on the list. Talcher (Odisha) and Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu) are also on the list. Manuguru (Telangana) is another well-known site. Korba, despite being a major power and industrial location in Chhattisgarh, is not on the canonical list of heavy water plants. Therefore Korba is the odd one out. Step-by-Step Solution: List known heavy water plant locations from standard references.Cross-check each option with that list.Identify Korba as not hosting a heavy water plant.Select Korba (Chhattisgarh) as the answer. Verification / Alternative check: Heavy water plant lists repeatedly include Kota, Vadodara, Talcher, Tuticorin, Thal, and Manuguru; Korba does not appear among official heavy water plant locations. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Kota and Baroda (Vadodara): Both are established heavy water plant sites.Talcher: Recognised heavy water plant location.Tuticorin: Recognised heavy water plant location.Manuguru: Recognised heavy water plant location in Telangana. Common Pitfalls: Confusing nearby industrial towns and assuming any big power hub must also host a heavy water plant. Verify the exact official plant site names rather than general industrial regions. Final Answer: Korba (Chhattisgarh)

Question 2

Kalpakkam FBTR (Fast Breeder Test Reactor): which statement correctly identifies a core design choice about fertile material/coolant/fuel form?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Fast breeder reactors (FBRs) aim to produce more fissile material than they consume by converting a fertile isotope in a surrounding blanket into a fissile one. India’s Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam is a classic reference point for such questions. Given Data / Assumptions: FBTR is a fast-spectrum reactor (no moderator). Typical fast breeders use a fertile blanket of U-238 that breeds fissile Pu-239. Coolant in many FBRs is liquid sodium (not helium or water). Concept / Approach: In a fast reactor, slowing down neutrons is undesirable; hence no moderator is used and liquid metals (often sodium) serve as the coolant due to excellent heat transfer properties at low pressure. The fertile blanket commonly comprises U-238 to breed Pu-239 via neutron capture. Thorium-232 based breeding is a different design line (e.g., advanced heavy-water or molten-salt thorium concepts) and does not describe the FBTR at Kalpakkam. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall that FBTR is a fast reactor without moderator.Identify the blanket: U-238 → Pu-239 breeding.Note coolant: liquid sodium in standard FBR practice (not helium or water).Exclude options that contradict these fundamentals; select U-238 as the fertile material. Verification / Alternative check: Standard FBR design summaries cite U-238 blankets and sodium coolant for the Kalpakkam FBTR lineage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Thorium blanket: not characteristic of FBTR.Helium coolant: not the chosen coolant for FBTR.Uranium ore as fuel: fuel is fabricated fissile material, not raw ore.Water as moderator/coolant: contradicts fast-spectrum design. Common Pitfalls: Mixing up thorium-based R&D lines with India’s sodium-cooled breeder programme, or assuming all reactors use water as coolant. Final Answer: Uses U-238 as the fertile material in the blanket

Question 3

Indian power sector context: choose the best statement about nuclear power generation capacity (relative magnitudes vs other sectors and typical textbook figures).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Questions on India’s power mix often test whether you know the relative scale of nuclear capacity compared to hydroelectric and thermal (coal/gas) capacities. Exact numbers change over time, but the order-of-magnitude relationship remains stable in general knowledge contexts. Given Data / Assumptions: Nuclear capacity is a small fraction of India’s total installed capacity. Hydro and, especially, thermal capacities are much larger. Old textbooks sometimes cite figures such as 3000 MW for nuclear as a snapshot; current values evolve but remain well below hydro and thermal. Concept / Approach: Even as nuclear capacity expands, it has consistently remained far smaller than India’s large thermal fleet and below total hydro capacity. Therefore, statements claiming nuclear exceeds hydro or thermal are incorrect in a general GK sense. Between the two numeric choices, the specific value depends on the reference year; however, the robust, time-insensitive truth is that nuclear is much smaller than hydro and thermal. Selecting this relation-based option aligns with Recovery-First principles, avoiding time-sensitive numeric mismatches while preserving correct domain understanding. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognise that thermal power dominates India’s capacity mix.Hydro capacity is also substantially larger than nuclear.Discard options claiming nuclear is greater than hydro or thermal.Prefer a relationship statement over dated numeric snapshots. Verification / Alternative check: Annual power statistics over the past decades consistently show nuclear as a small percentage of the national total relative to thermal and hydro capacities. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 3000 MW or 10000 MW: time-bound snapshots; may mislead depending on year.More than hydro: false in practice.More than thermal: strongly false. Common Pitfalls: Memorising a single number without noting the exam year; safer is to know robust rankings: thermal > hydro > nuclear in installed capacity terms for India. Final Answer: Much smaller than both hydro and thermal capacities

Question 4

Units check: which of the following is a unit of radioactivity (activity of a radioactive source)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Physical units in nuclear engineering and physics are often confused because many are used in adjacent subfields. Radioactivity (activity) measures the rate of nuclear disintegrations per unit time. Recognising the correct unit avoids conceptual errors and helps interpret measurements and safety limits. Given Data / Assumptions: Activity is the number of decays per second. Two common units are used historically: the Curie (Ci) and the SI unit Becquerel (Bq). Other units in the options belong to different quantities or scales. Concept / Approach: The Curie (Ci) is defined historically as 3.7 × 10^10 disintegrations per second, approximately the activity of 1 gram of radium-226. The SI unit of activity is the Becquerel (1 Bq = 1 disintegration per second), but since Becquerel is not an option here, Curie is the correct choice. Barn is an area unit used for nuclear cross-sections, Fermi is a length scale for nuclear dimensions, Angstrom is an atomic length unit, and Tesla is magnetic flux density in electromagnetism. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify what radioactivity quantifies: disintegrations per second.Recall the historical and SI units: Curie and Becquerel.Select Curie because Bq is absent from options. Verification / Alternative check: Any standard table of nuclear units lists Curie and Becquerel as activity units, confirming Curie as valid when Bq is not provided. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Barn: unit of nuclear cross-section (area).Fermi: unit of length (~10^-15 m).Angstrom: unit of length (~10^-10 m).Tesla: magnetic field strength unit, not radioactivity. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “barn” relates to activity because it is used in nuclear contexts; remember it measures effective target area for interactions, not decay rate. Final Answer: Curie

Question 5

U-235 slow-neutron fission: approximately how many secondary neutrons are emitted per fission event (average prompt + delayed, rounded to a typical textbook integer)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The number of neutrons emitted per fission governs chain reaction feasibility, reactor criticality, and breeding potential. While the exact average depends on isotope and neutron energy, standard figures are widely used in introductory reactor physics. Given Data / Assumptions: Thermal (slow) neutron fission of U-235 is considered. The average number of neutrons emitted per fission is slightly above two. Exam questions often ask for a rounded integer. Concept / Approach: For U-235, the average number of prompt neutrons per thermal fission is around 2 to 3 (commonly cited ~2.4). Including the small contribution from delayed neutrons (crucial for control), a rounded figure of “about 3” is frequently accepted in GK-type questions. This number is high enough to sustain a chain reaction once non-leakage and parasitic captures are accounted for via the four/five-factor formulae in reactor theory. Step-by-Step Solution: State typical average: roughly 2–3 neutrons per U-235 fission.Recall that problems often ask for a nearest integer.Choose 3 as the standard rounded answer. Verification / Alternative check: Reactor physics tables list ν (nu) for U-235 thermal fission ≈ 2.4; rounding to 3 is customary for quick GK questions when no decimal option is provided. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 235/200/92: These are mass or atomic numbers and not neutron yields.1: Too low to sustain chain reactions after losses. Common Pitfalls: Confusing atomic number (92) or mass number (235) with neutron yield; these are different concepts entirely. Final Answer: 3

Question 6

Nuclear power plant shielding: the biological shield is provided primarily to protect which group from ionising radiation?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In nuclear facilities, shielding design separates high-radiation regions from areas where people work. The biological shield is a dedicated, high-density barrier meant to attenuate radiation to safe levels for humans outside core and primary circuit boundaries. Given Data / Assumptions: Biological shield materials typically include thick concrete and sometimes steel or other attenuators. The main design objective is protection of people, not equipment. Radiation sources include neutrons and gamma rays from the core and primary systems. Concept / Approach: While reactor vessels and fuel assemblies are engineered for heat and radiation environments, the biological shield specifically addresses dose limits for humans. It reduces neutron and gamma flux to regulatory limits in accessible areas. Equipment like fuel elements or turbine blades have separate design considerations; the turbine in a PWR/BWR secondary loop is not the target of the biological shield, and vessel integrity is managed by other design margins and materials, not primarily by this shield. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the shield’s purpose: reduce dose to people outside high-radiation zones.Match with the correct group: operating personnel.Exclude equipment-centric options which are not the aim of a “biological” shield. Verification / Alternative check: Nuclear safety texts define biological shielding explicitly with reference to human radiation protection and dose limits (e.g., mSv/hr in controlled areas). Why Other Options Are Wrong: Fuel elements/vessel walls: engineered for radiation but not the shield’s primary protection target.None of these/Only turbine blades: incorrect scope for biological shielding. Common Pitfalls: Assuming any thick structure around the vessel primarily protects the hardware; the term “biological” signals the focus on human safety. Final Answer: Operating personnel (human workers)

Question 7

Energy–mass relation: one atomic mass unit (1 amu) corresponds to approximately how much energy (via E = m * c^2)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The conversion between mass and energy underpins nuclear binding energies and Q-values. Knowing the energy equivalent of 1 atomic mass unit (amu) allows quick back-of-the-envelope checks when comparing mass defects and reaction energetics. Given Data / Assumptions: Einstein’s relation E = m * c^2 applies. 1 amu ≈ 1.6605 × 10^-27 kg. We need the energy equivalent in MeV, a natural unit for nuclear scales. Concept / Approach: Carrying out E = m * c^2 with SI values and converting joules to electronvolts yields approximately 1 amu ≈ 931 MeV. This is a canonical constant used widely in nuclear physics. Values like 9.31 MeV or 93.1 MeV are off by factors of 100 or 10, while 931 eV is too small by 10^6. Expressing in joules is possible, but MeV is the conventional unit for nuclear energy scales. Step-by-Step Solution: Use m ≈ 1.6605e-27 kg and c ≈ 3.0e8 m/s.Compute E ≈ 1.6605e-27 * (3.0e8)^2 J ≈ 1.494e-10 J.Convert J to eV using 1 eV ≈ 1.602e-19 J → E ≈ 9.31e8 eV ≈ 931 MeV.Select 931 MeV. Verification / Alternative check: Standard physical constants tables list 1 u (amu) ≈ 931.5 MeV, confirming the rounded 931 MeV result. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 9.31 MeV / 93.1 MeV: Incorrect decimal placement.931 eV: Off by 10^6; nuclear scales are MeV, not eV.931 J: Wrong unit; the energy is in MeV scale, not joules in this context. Common Pitfalls: Mistaking eV for MeV or misplacing decimal powers when converting between joules and electronvolts. Final Answer: 931 MeV

Question 8

Composition check: the nucleus of uranium-235 (written as 92U235) contains how many protons?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Nuclear notation A Z X helps decode fundamental properties: A is mass number (protons + neutrons), Z is atomic number (protons), and X is the chemical symbol. This is essential for balancing nuclear reactions and understanding isotopes. Given Data / Assumptions: Isotope given: 92U235. Z (the atomic number) equals the number of protons. A (the mass number) equals protons + neutrons. Concept / Approach: For 92U235, Z = 92 indicates 92 protons. The mass number A = 235 means total nucleons are 235, so neutrons = A - Z = 235 - 92 = 143. Thus, “92” is the correct answer for the number of protons. This simple parsing skill is used in reaction equations, decay chains, and neutron economy assessments. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify Z from the isotope notation: Z = 92.Proton count equals Z, so protons = 92.Optional: compute neutrons = 235 - 92 = 143 for completeness.Select 92 as the number of protons. Verification / Alternative check: Periodic table confirms uranium’s atomic number is 92, matching the proton count in all uranium isotopes (mass numbers vary with neutron count). Why Other Options Are Wrong: 235: Mass number, not proton count.143: Neutron count for U-235, not protons.325/126: Not related to U-235 proton number. Common Pitfalls: Mixing mass number with atomic number; always remember Z = protons, A = protons + neutrons. Final Answer: 92

Question 9

Effect of beta decay (β− or β+): how does the neutron-to-proton ratio (n/p) of a radioactive nuclide change under β-decay?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Beta decay alters the composition of a nucleus by converting a neutron to a proton (β−) or a proton to a neutron (β+ or electron capture). Understanding how the neutron-to-proton ratio (n/p) changes clarifies why certain isotopes move toward the valley of stability through β-decay processes. Given Data / Assumptions: β− decay: n → p + e− + v̄ (antineutrino). β+ decay (or electron capture): p → n + e+ + v (or p + e− → n + v). We compare n/p before and after decay. Concept / Approach: In β− decay, one neutron converts to a proton. Neutrons decrease by 1 and protons increase by 1, so n/p = (n−1)/(p+1). This tends to decrease n/p. In β+ decay (or electron capture), one proton converts to a neutron: n/p = (n+1)/(p−1), which tends to increase n/p. Therefore, without specifying which beta mode occurs, the best general statement is that n/p may increase or decrease depending on whether the nuclide undergoes β− or β+ decay. Step-by-Step Solution: Write the particle balance for β− and β+ processes.Compute qualitative effect on numerator and denominator of n/p.Conclude direction of change for each mode.Choose the conditional statement covering both possibilities. Verification / Alternative check: Charts of the nuclides show neutron-rich nuclides moving toward stability via β− decay (lowering n/p) and proton-rich nuclides via β+ or EC (raising n/p) to approach stable ratios. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Always increases/always decreases: ignores the two beta modes.Remains the same: composition changes by definition.Becomes exactly 1: stability does not mandate n/p = 1; it varies with mass number. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “beta decay” always means β−; many nuclides undergo β+ or electron capture depending on energy conditions. Final Answer: May increase or decrease depending on whether it is β− or β+ decay

Question 10

Fast breeder reactor basics: which statement correctly characterises a fast breeder reactor (FBR)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Fast breeder reactors (FBRs) are designed to work with high-energy (fast) neutrons and breed more fissile material than they consume by converting fertile isotopes in a surrounding blanket. Their physics and design choices differ substantially from thermal reactors that employ moderators. Given Data / Assumptions: “Fast” implies no moderator slowing down neutrons. Coolants are typically liquid metals (e.g., sodium) for excellent heat transfer at low pressure. Fuel is often mixed-oxide or metallic/plutonium-bearing, not natural uranium alone. Concept / Approach: A moderator would defeat the purpose of a fast spectrum by thermalising neutrons. Therefore, an FBR operates without a moderator and relies on design choices (core geometry, coolant, materials) that preserve neutron energies. Claiming natural uranium fuel with heavy water moderation describes a PHWR, not an FBR. Water-cooled graphite-moderated configurations describe thermal reactors (e.g., certain historical designs), not fast breeders. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the essential feature: absence of a moderator in fast reactors.Eliminate options that include moderators or thermal-reactor pairings.Select the statement affirming no moderator is used. Verification / Alternative check: Standard reactor classifications list FBRs as unmoderated, often sodium-cooled, with U-238 blankets to breed Pu-239, confirming the chosen statement. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Natural uranium with heavy water: PHWR, not an FBR.Both/Neither: do not match defining characteristics.Water + graphite: thermal reactor pairing, not fast. Common Pitfalls: Equating “breeder” with any reactor that produces fissile material; spectrum matters. Fast breeders specifically avoid moderators to exploit fast-neutron fission and breeding. Final Answer: Operates without a moderator (fast spectrum)

Question 11

For gaseous coolants used in nuclear or process heat removal (H2, He, CO2), arrange their specific heats (on a mass basis, kJ/kg-K) in increasing order for quick thermal comparison.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Engineers often compare candidate gaseous coolants by their ability to carry heat per unit mass and per unit volume. A fast way to benchmark thermal performance is to order fluids by specific heat at constant pressure, Cp, usually expressed on a mass basis (kJ/kg-K) for pumping and equipment-sizing calculations. This question asks for the increasing order for three common gases, carbon dioxide (CO2), helium (He), and hydrogen (H2), as used in high-temperature nuclear and process systems. Given Data / Assumptions: We compare Cp on a mass basis (kJ/kg-K) at near-ambient conditions where standard reference data are tabulated. Ideal-gas behavior is assumed for ranking; modest temperature variation does not change the relative order. Target fluids: CO2, He, H2. Concept / Approach: On a molar basis, monatomic gases like He have Cp ≈ (5/2)R, diatomic like H2 have Cp ≈ (7/2)R near room temperature, and polyatomic like CO2 have even higher molar Cp because of additional degrees of freedom. However, when expressed per kilogram, molecular weight matters strongly. Hydrogen has a tiny molecular weight, so dividing its molar Cp by 2 g/mol yields a very large kJ/kg-K. Helium, with molecular weight 4 g/mol, still yields a high mass-based Cp. Carbon dioxide, with molecular weight 44 g/mol, ends up with a comparatively low mass-based Cp. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recall approximate mass-based Cp values: CO2 ≈ 0.84–0.90 kJ/kg-K; He ≈ 5.1–5.2 kJ/kg-K; H2 ≈ 14–14.5 kJ/kg-K.2) Rank in increasing order by value: smallest first → CO2, then He, then H2.3) Match to choices: CO2, He, H2. Verification / Alternative check: Convert typical molar Cp to mass basis. Example: Cp,He ≈ 20.8 J/mol-K, divide by 4 g/mol → ~5.2 kJ/kg-K; Cp,H2 ≈ 28.8 J/mol-K, divide by 2 g/mol → ~14.4 kJ/kg-K; Cp,CO2 ≈ 37 J/mol-K, divide by 44 g/mol → ~0.84 kJ/kg-K. The mass-basis order is consistent across normal temperature ranges for gas cooling applications. Why Other Options Are Wrong: CO2, H2, He: incorrectly places He above H2 on a mass basis.H2, He, CO2 and H2, CO2, He: start with H2, which actually has the highest, not the lowest, mass-based Cp. Common Pitfalls: Mixing molar and mass bases; ignoring the impact of molecular weight on mass-specific properties; assuming high molar Cp necessarily means high mass Cp without conversion. Final Answer: CO2, He, H2

Question 12

In reactor design and operation, biological shielding is primarily installed to protect personnel from which emissions that dominate external dose around a nuclear reactor?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Nuclear reactors emit several kinds of radiation. Biological shielding is the engineered barrier—commonly dense concrete, steel, water, and sometimes special polymers—built around the core and primary systems to protect workers and the public by attenuating penetrating radiation. Knowing which fields dominate exposure informs appropriate shield materials and thicknesses. Given Data / Assumptions: A functioning reactor core with fission and activation sources present. Goal: reduce dose rates to below regulatory limits outside the shield. Consider common external fields in and around the containment or reactor building. Concept / Approach: Gamma rays (high-energy photons) and fast/thermal neutrons are highly penetrating and, therefore, are the principal contributors to external dose fields from reactors. Shielding design uses high-Z, high-density materials to attenuate gammas via photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, and pair production, while hydrogenous materials (water, concrete, polyethylene) slow and capture neutrons through scattering and absorption, often with boron additives to enhance capture. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify radiation fields near a core: neutron leakage and gamma fields from fission and activated materials.2) Determine which penetrate large distances: gammas and neutrons are most penetrating among routine fields.3) Conclude that biological shields are mainly designed for neutrons and gamma rays. Verification / Alternative check: Alpha and beta particles have limited range in air and are easily stopped by thin barriers (skin, paper, or a few millimeters of plastic/metal); they are serious as internal hazards but not the primary design basis for thick biological shields. X rays can be present in some equipment but are not the dominant core-related emissions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: X rays: not the principal reactor core emission; gamma rays are far more relevant.Alpha and beta: mainly internal hazards; penetration through shielding is small.Infrared: thermal radiation is not ionizing and is not the shielding design driver. Common Pitfalls: Confusing contamination control (alpha/beta) with shielding needs; overlooking the different materials required for gamma vs neutron attenuation. Final Answer: Neutrons and gamma rays

Question 13

In natural (“ordinary”) water found on Earth, approximately what percentage of heavy water content (i.e., molecules containing deuterium) is present?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Heavy water refers to water molecules where hydrogen is replaced by deuterium (D), a stable hydrogen isotope with one neutron. Natural water contains a very small fraction of deuterium-bearing molecules such as HDO and D2O. Quantifying this fraction is important for heavy-water production, isotopic analysis, and nuclear technologies that rely on deuterium as a moderator. Given Data / Assumptions: We are concerned with naturally occurring water without enrichment. The percentage is asked as a rough, widely used benchmark for deuterium abundance. Small variations by geography exist but do not change the order of magnitude. Concept / Approach: Deuterium abundance in ocean water is roughly 0.015% (150 parts per million) by atoms, leading to about the same order for heavy water species occurrence when averaged over large bodies of water. This tiny natural concentration is the feedstock for heavy-water plants, which use chemical-exchange or distillation processes to concentrate deuterium. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize that deuterium is rare in nature compared to protium (ordinary hydrogen).2) Recall the canonical natural abundance used in textbooks: ~0.015%.3) Match the closest choice to the standard figure. Verification / Alternative check: Environmental and paleoclimate studies routinely use δD measurements that pivot around this small baseline abundance; industrial heavy-water plants scale processes to enrich from roughly 0.015% up to reactor-grade concentrations (> 99% D2O). Why Other Options Are Wrong: 7.54 and 32.97 percent are far too large, inconsistent with observed isotope distributions.0.71 percent corresponds to unrelated natural abundances (e.g., U-235 in natural uranium) and is not applicable to deuterium in water. Common Pitfalls: Confusing atomic percent deuterium with molecular percent D2O; overlooking that most “heavy” molecules in natural water are HDO rather than pure D2O. Final Answer: 0.015

Question 14

Plutonium facts for nuclear engineering: which statements about origin and material properties are correct?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Plutonium (principally Pu-239 and Pu-240 in civilian fuel cycles) is produced in nuclear reactors when U-238 captures neutrons and undergoes a sequence of beta decays. Understanding where plutonium comes from and how its physical properties compare to other actinides is fundamental in fuel-cycle engineering and materials handling. Given Data / Assumptions: Commercial thermal reactors irradiate uranium oxide fuel containing U-235 and U-238. Thorium is considered as a high-melting-point fertile material for comparison. We focus on broad, widely-used values rather than phase-specific quirks. Concept / Approach: In-reactor transmutation converts some U-238 to Pu isotopes through neutron capture and decay: U-238 → U-239 → Np-239 → Pu-239. Spent fuel reprocessing (chemical separation) can recover plutonium for potential recycle (e.g., as MOX fuel). Regarding material properties, plutonium exhibits complex allotropy and a comparatively low melting point (~640°C) among actinides, while thorium’s melting point is much higher (~1690°C), making the statement about relative melting points true. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Confirm origin: plutonium forms in thermal reactors and is extracted from spent fuel → statement (a) is correct.2) Compare melting points: Pu ≈ 640°C; Th ≈ 1690°C → statement (b) is correct.3) Therefore, the combined option (c) is correct. Verification / Alternative check: Standard nuclear data tables list these melting points and document plutonium’s presence in discharged fuel assemblies; industrial reprocessing routes (PUREX and variants) are designed around this fact. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Selecting only (a) or only (b) ignores that both statements are simultaneously true.“Neither” contradicts established reactor physics and materials data. Common Pitfalls: Confusing metallic plutonium with plutonium dioxide (PuO2) ceramic fuel forms; overlooking plutonium’s multiple allotropes that complicate metallurgy but not the basic melting-point comparison. Final Answer: Both (a) and (b).

Question 15

Isotopes of hydrogen check: tritium (H-3) and deuterium (H-2) share the same count of which subatomic particle?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Isotopes of a chemical element are defined by the same atomic number (Z) but different mass numbers (A). For hydrogen, the three common isotopes are protium (H-1), deuterium (H-2), and tritium (H-3). Recognizing what is identical and what differs between isotopes is fundamental to chemistry, nuclear physics, and reactor science. Given Data / Assumptions: Tritium: Z = 1, A = 3. Deuterium: Z = 1, A = 2. Neutral atoms have equal numbers of electrons and protons, but ions may not. Concept / Approach: The defining feature of an element is its proton number Z. All isotopes of hydrogen have exactly one proton in the nucleus. They differ in neutron count: deuterium has one neutron; tritium has two neutrons. The number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) therefore differs as well. While neutral atoms of both isotopes have one electron, the question typically concerns nuclear composition, and electrons can vary with ionization state. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify constant across isotopes: proton count (Z) remains the same.2) Identify differences: neutron count and total nucleons change (A differs).3) Conclude that “protons” is the quantity that is the same for tritium and deuterium. Verification / Alternative check: Periodic table groupings are by Z, confirming that isotopes share proton number and chemical identity while differing by neutron number and nuclear mass. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Neutrons: D has 1, T has 2 → not the same.Electrons: can depend on ionization; not an intrinsic nuclear property.Nucleons: totals differ (2 vs 3). Common Pitfalls: Confusing atomic number with mass number; assuming electrons are fixed irrespective of charge state; overlooking that “nucleons” sums protons and neutrons. Final Answer: Protons

Question 16

Homogeneous reactor concept: in such a reactor design, which components are uniformly mixed together to form a single effective medium?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Nuclear reactor geometries range from heterogeneous lattices (distinct fuel and moderator regions) to homogeneous mixtures where components are combined. Early aqueous homogeneous reactors and some conceptual molten-salt designs illustrate the homogeneous approach, which simplifies neutron moderation calculations by treating the medium as uniform. Given Data / Assumptions: “Homogeneous” refers to neutronic mixing, not merely thermal mixing. Fuel can be dissolved or finely dispersed in the moderator. Coolant may or may not be the moderator depending on the design. Concept / Approach: In a homogeneous reactor, the nuclear fuel (e.g., uranyl nitrate in water for aqueous solutions, or fissile salts dissolved in a carrier salt) is mixed uniformly with the moderator, creating a single effective medium for neutron transport and reaction rates. This contrasts with heterogeneous reactors, where fuel rods or pebbles are surrounded by separate moderator regions, producing spatial flux variations and lattice effects. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify the defining characteristic: one-phase neutronic mixture.2) Recognize that the moderator must be colocated with fuel to achieve uniform moderation → “fuel and moderator.”3) Therefore option (b) is correct. Verification / Alternative check: Classic “aqueous homogeneous reactor” designs dissolved uranyl salts directly in light water (which simultaneously acted as moderator and coolant), demonstrating the concept explicitly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Fuel and coolant: may be true incidentally in some designs, but the defining homogeneous pairing is fuel with moderator.Coolant and moderator: omits fuel; without fuel mixed in, the reactor is not “homogeneous” in the neutronic sense.“None” contradicts the definition. Common Pitfalls: Equating “homogeneous” with “single-phase thermally” only; overlooking that many practical reactors are heterogeneous for structural reasons even if coolant and moderator are the same substance (e.g., water) but not mixed with the fuel. Final Answer: Fuel and moderator

Question 17

Radioactive decay law insight: the half-life of a radionuclide depends on which external or internal factors, if any?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The half-life, t1/2, of a radioactive nuclide is the characteristic time for half of a large population of identical nuclei to decay. It is a fundamental parameter in nuclear physics, radiological protection, medical imaging, and reactor engineering. Understanding its dependence—or independence—on environmental factors prevents misconceptions in handling and measurement. Given Data / Assumptions: Nuclei decay via stochastic processes governed by intrinsic nuclear properties. We are considering typical alpha, beta, or gamma decays in ordinary conditions. Exotic processes (e.g., bound-state beta decay at extreme conditions) are out of scope. Concept / Approach: For common decay modes, the decay constant λ is an intrinsic property of the nucleus, linked to quantum tunneling probability (alpha decay) or weak-interaction matrix elements (beta decay). Hence, the half-life t1/2 = ln(2)/λ is independent of temperature, pressure, or the macroscopic quantity of material. Chemical state can in rare cases slightly affect electron-capture decays, but such effects are tiny and generally negligible for standard problems. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recall the decay law: N(t) = N0 * exp(−λt).2) Define half-life: set N(t1/2) = N0/2 → t1/2 = ln(2)/λ.3) Recognize λ is nuclear-structure dependent, not a function of temperature/pressure/quantity in ordinary contexts. Verification / Alternative check: Repeated measurements across different samples, masses, and conditions confirm constant half-lives within experimental uncertainty, forming the basis for radiometric dating and standardized dose calculations. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Temperature and pressure: nuclear energy scales far exceed thermal/pressure energies; no practical effect.Amount present: only changes total activity (A = λN), not the decay constant. Common Pitfalls: Confusing activity (which scales with quantity) with half-life; overinterpreting niche chemical effects in electron-capture nuclides as general rules. Final Answer: None of these

Question 18

Basic nuclear definition: the mass number (A) of an element equals the total count of which particles in the nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Nuclear notation uses two integers: atomic number Z and mass number A. Z identifies the element via its proton count, while A indicates the total number of nucleons in the nucleus. This distinction underpins isotope labeling, reaction balances, and neutron economy in reactor calculations. Given Data / Assumptions: A represents a simple sum within the nucleus. Electrons orbit the nucleus and are not counted in A. We are discussing stable and unstable nuclides alike. Concept / Approach: The nucleus contains protons and neutrons. The mass number A is defined as A = Z + N, where Z is the number of protons and N is the number of neutrons. Different isotopes of the same element share Z but have different N, and therefore different A. Reaction equations conserve A and charge (Z), enabling straightforward bookkeeping of nuclear transformations. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Write definition: A = protons + neutrons.2) Recognize that electrons are excluded from A because they are not part of the nucleus.3) Conclude that the correct choice is “neutrons plus protons (nucleons).” Verification / Alternative check: Isotope symbols like 235U (Z = 92, N = 143) demonstrate that A (235) equals 92 + 143, reinforcing the definition. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Electrons: not nuclear constituents.Neutrons only or protons only: each omits part of A’s definition. Common Pitfalls: Confusing atomic mass (in unified mass units) with the integer mass number; assuming binding energy corrections alter A (they alter mass, not the count of nucleons). Final Answer: Neutrons plus protons (nucleons)

Question 19

Clinical tracer selection: which radioisotope is routinely used to study thyroid gland uptake and function in diagnostic nuclear medicine?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The thyroid actively takes up iodine to synthesize hormones (T3 and T4). Nuclear medicine leverages this physiology using radioiodine to image the gland, measure uptake, or ablate overactive tissue. Knowing the appropriate tracer is essential for clinical protocols and exam questions in radiological sciences. Given Data / Assumptions: Diagnostic imaging or uptake measurement of the thyroid. Preference for isotopes with suitable half-life and gamma emissions (for imaging) or beta emissions (for therapy). Standard practice in clinical settings. Concept / Approach: Iodine isotopes are organ-specific tracers for the thyroid. I-123 is commonly used for diagnostic imaging due to favorable gamma emissions and lower radiation dose; I-131 is used for therapy and sometimes uptake tests, offering beta particles for ablation but with higher dose. The chemical form (e.g., radioiodide) is bioidentical to stable iodine, ensuring physiologic uptake through the sodium-iodide symporter. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Identify organ physiology: thyroid concentrates iodine.2) Select tracer aligned with physiology: radioiodine is ideal.3) Conclude that “iodine” is the correct choice among the listed isotopes. Verification / Alternative check: Diagnostic protocols list I-123 for imaging and I-131 for uptake/therapy; alternatives like technetium-99m pertechnetate can image thyroid due to similar transport but are not listed among the options. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Cobalt and iron target different clinical applications (e.g., Co-60 therapy sources, Fe tracers for hematology) and do not show selective thyroid uptake.Carbon radioisotopes (e.g., C-11) are used in PET tracers but not as thyroid-specific uptake agents. Common Pitfalls: Confusing organ-specific tracers; assuming any gamma emitter is appropriate regardless of biochemical pathway. Final Answer: Iodine

Question 20

Purpose classification: which reactor type is primarily built to provide a very high neutron flux (about 10^13 to 10^14 neutrons/cm^2-s) for experiments, isotope production, and materials testing rather than grid power?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Not all nuclear reactors are designed to generate electricity. Research reactors prioritize neutron flux and experimental access over thermal efficiency. They support scientific studies, materials irradiation, neutron activation analysis, and the production of medical and industrial radioisotopes. Given Data / Assumptions: Target neutron flux cited: ~10^13 to 10^14 neutrons/cm^2-s. Focus on core accessibility, beam tubes, and flexible operating modes. Electrical generation is not the primary objective. Concept / Approach: Research reactors often employ compact cores with high power density or specialized moderators/reflectors to maximize thermal or epithermal neutron availability at experimental ports. Features like beamlines, irradiation positions, and thermal columns distinguish them from power reactors, which prioritize sustained high thermal output and steam-cycle efficiency. Breeder reactors are designed to produce more fissile material than they consume, not primarily to deliver the highest on-tap experimental flux, although some breeders also exhibit high flux locally. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Match requirement (very high neutron flux) with reactor mission profiles.2) Research reactors explicitly target flux and experimental infrastructure.3) Therefore, “Research” is the correct classification. Verification / Alternative check: Operational descriptions of well-known research reactors (e.g., pool-type or tank-in-pool designs) emphasize beam ports and irradiation facilities, with flux levels in the 10^13–10^14 n/cm^2-s range, aligning with the question’s figures. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Power: optimized for electricity production and capacity factor, not maximum experimental flux accessibility.Breeder: aims for fuel production (breeding ratio > 1), not primarily experimental services.Homogeneous: describes a geometry, not the mission; a reactor can be homogeneous yet not dedicated to research flux delivery. Common Pitfalls: Equating high thermal power with high usable experimental flux; ignoring the importance of beam-tube geometry and access around the core. Final Answer: Research

Nuclear Power Engineering Questions