How can thorium be used for nuclear energy when it is not fissionable?

A) Thorium can be used as a fuel for nuclear fusion reactors.
B) Thorium has strong nuclear shielding properties, which enhances the chain reaction.
C) Thorium can actually be fissioned with sufficient pressure and temperature.
D) The thorium can easily be converted to U-233, which is fissionable.


Answer: D

Physics & Space Science

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Suppose the main water pipe breaks in a nuclear power plant, shutting off the water flow. If the control rods fall immediately into place, stopping the chain reaction, is there still a problem?

A) Yes, because radioactivity continues to create lots of thermal energy. B) Yes, because the uranium can still fission even though it is not chain-reacting. C) Yes, because the control rods stop only the fissioning of uranium and not the fissioning of plutonium. D) No, because no heat can be created once the fission reaction is shut off. E) No, because the small amount of heat that continues being created is not enough to cause any danger.

Physics & Space Science

A particle (charge 7.5 ?C) is released from rest at a point on the x axis, x = 10 cm. It begins to move due to the presence of a 2.0-?C charge which remains fixed at the origin. What is the kinetic energy of the particle at the instant it passes the point x = 1.0 m?

A. 3.0 J B. 1.8 J C. 2.4 J D. 1.2 J E. 1.4 J

Physics & Space Science

Inserting a dielectric material between two charged parallel conducting plates, originally separated by air and disconnected from a battery, will produce what effect on the capacitor?

a. increase voltage c. increase capacitance b. increase charge d. decrease capacitance

Physics & Space Science

A perfectly black sphere 18.0 cm in diameter is held at a temperature of 215°C

(? = 5.670 × 10-8 W/m2 ? K4, Wien displacement law constant is 2.90 × 10-3 m ? K, h = 6.626 × 10-34 J ? s, c = 3.00 × 108 m/s) (a) Near what wavelength does this sphere radiate most strongly? (b) If all the radiated energy were at the wavelength found in part (a), how many photons would the sphere emit each second?

Physics & Space Science