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Examoogle • User • info@examoogle.com • EE-2024-8821
Chapter 1 of 12 • Page 1 of 248🔒 Protected PDF • Watermarked
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Which of the following is not a naturally occurring nuclear fuel?
Uranium-238
Thorium-233
Plutonium-239
None of the mentioned
Plutonium-239
Quick Summary: 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.
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.
92238U+01n→92239U
92239Uβ−93239Np+e−+νˉe
93239Npβ−94239Pu+e−+νˉe
Plutonium-239 is produced via the process of fertile-to-fissile conversion. When a nucleus of 92238U captures a neutron, it forms 92239U, which undergoes two successive beta decays to become 94239Pu. This reaction is represented as: 92238U+01n→92239Uβ−93239Npβ−94239Pu.
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.
High energy density in breeder reactor cycles.
Utilization of otherwise non-fissile U-238 fertile material.
High radiotoxicity and proliferation risk.
Requires complex chemical reprocessing to separate from irradiated fuel.
Nuclear weapon manufacturing.
Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel for power generation.
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.
C is correct — 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.
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.