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Question Detail
Which of the following is not a naturally occurring nuclear fuel?
Options
Option A: Uranium-238
Option B: Thorium-233
Option C: Plutonium-239
Option D: None of the mentioned
Correct Answer
Plutonium-239
Solution & Explanation
{"type":"technical","methodBadge":"Concept & Principle","explanation":"Plutonium-239 is an artificial fissile isotope created in nuclear reactors through neutron capture by Uranium-238, whereas Uranium-238 and Thorium-232 are naturally occurring primordial isotopes. Because it does not exist in significant quantities in nature, it is classified as a synthetic nuclear fuel.","workingPrinciple":"Plutonium-239 is produced via the process of fertile-to-fissile conversion. When a nucleus of $^{238}_{92}U$ captures a neutron, it forms $^{239}_{92}U$, which undergoes two successive beta decays to become $^{239}_{94}Pu$. This reaction is represented as: $^{238}_{92}U + ^{1}_{0}n \\rightarrow ^{239}_{92}U \\xrightarrow{\\beta^-} ^{239}_{93}Np \\xrightarrow{\\beta^-} ^{239}_{94}Pu$.","diagramSvg":"Nuclear Fuel ClassificationNatural: U-238, Th-232Synthetic: Pu-239","keyFormulas":["$^{238}_{92}U + ^{1}_{0}n \\rightarrow ^{239}_{92}U$","$^{239}_{92}U \\xrightarrow{\\beta^-} ^{239}_{93}Np + e^- + \\bar{\\nu}_e$","$^{239}_{93}Np \\xrightarrow{\\beta^-} ^{239}_{94}Pu + e^- + \\bar{\\nu}_e$"],"keyPoints":["Uranium-238 is the most abundant natural isotope of uranium (~99.27%).","Thorium-232 is a naturally occurring fertile material that can be converted into U-233.","Plutonium-239 is a fissile material primarily produced in breeder reactors.","The presence of synthetic fuel indicates human intervention in nuclear transmutation."],"advantages":["High energy density in breeder reactor cycles.","Utilization of otherwise non-fissile U-238 fertile material."],"disadvantages":["High radiotoxicity and proliferation risk.","Requires complex chemical reprocessing to separate from irradiated fuel."],"applications":["Nuclear weapon manufacturing.","Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel for power generation."],"comparisonTable":[],"additionalInfo":["Note: Thorium-233 is a highly unstable intermediate decay product; the stable naturally occurring isotope is Thorium-232.","Option A (U-238) is the most abundant natural uranium isotope.","Option B (Thorium-233) is often conflated with Thorium-232; however, both are categorized under natural decay chains."],"answer":"C is correct тАФ Plutonium-239 is a synthetic isotope produced via neutron irradiation of Uranium-238 in a nuclear reactor, rather than existing as a naturally occurring element in the earth's crust.","correctedOptions":["Uranium-238","Thorium-233","Plutonium-239","None of the mentioned"],"coreConcepts":["Nuclear Fissile vs Fertile materials","Transmutation","Neutron Capture","Radioactive Decay Series"],"crossTopicTip":"Always distinguish between 'Fissile' (can sustain chain reaction) and 'Fertile' (can be converted to fissile) materials; U-238 is fertile, while Pu-239 is fissile."}