Mech Tech I Chapter 4
How is nuclear fuel produced? - correct answer-It begins with mining of uranium. Uranium
U235 is separated from uranium 238. It is then refined into a substance called yellowcake
and spun in centrifuges until it is enriched to approximately 3-4% pure U235, the enrichment
necessary for the substance to serve as fuel in a power generation plant.
Nuclear power is responsible to how what percent of electricity produced in the United
States? - correct answer-20 percent
True or False? The roots of the nuclear power industry can be traced to nuclear weapons. -
correct answer-True
True or False? Orders for new construction of nuclear power plants have been on the rise in
recent years. - correct answer-False
Recall in two or three sentences how nuclear fission is used to produce electrical power. -
correct answer-A uranium atom splits when a neutron strikes it. When the fission occurs,
more neutrons are produced, which split more uranium atoms. Some radioactive waste
products and tremendous heat are also produced. This heat is used to boil water to create
steam, which spins a turbine-generator.
What is the term that most often used to describe the rate at which a material loses half of its
radioactivity? - correct answer-half-life
True or false? Uranium 235 (U235) is the fuel most often used in nuclear power plants. -
correct answer-True
Rods used to regulate the rate of nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor are known as _______?
- correct answer-Control rods
Summarize the major differences between BWRs and PWRs. - correct answer-In a BWR,
the steam that spins the turbine is radioactive because it comes directly from the reactor
core. A PWR makes use of a steam generator. The steam generator takes the heat from the
reactor core and makes steam that is not radioactive to spin the turbine-generator. It adds a
step to the generation process, but it also allows for a turbine that is free or radioactive
contamination, allowing for easier maintenance.
True or false. Most nuclear power plants in commercial operation in the United States are
located in the western United States. - correct answer-False
True or false. All high-level waste is presently stored in a federal repository. - correct
answer-False
Where is most spent nuclear fuel stored? - correct answer-in on-site pools at the power
plants
How is nuclear fuel produced? - correct answer-It begins with mining of uranium. Uranium
U235 is separated from uranium 238. It is then refined into a substance called yellowcake
and spun in centrifuges until it is enriched to approximately 3-4% pure U235, the enrichment
necessary for the substance to serve as fuel in a power generation plant.
Nuclear power is responsible to how what percent of electricity produced in the United
States? - correct answer-20 percent
True or False? The roots of the nuclear power industry can be traced to nuclear weapons. -
correct answer-True
True or False? Orders for new construction of nuclear power plants have been on the rise in
recent years. - correct answer-False
Recall in two or three sentences how nuclear fission is used to produce electrical power. -
correct answer-A uranium atom splits when a neutron strikes it. When the fission occurs,
more neutrons are produced, which split more uranium atoms. Some radioactive waste
products and tremendous heat are also produced. This heat is used to boil water to create
steam, which spins a turbine-generator.
What is the term that most often used to describe the rate at which a material loses half of its
radioactivity? - correct answer-half-life
True or false? Uranium 235 (U235) is the fuel most often used in nuclear power plants. -
correct answer-True
Rods used to regulate the rate of nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor are known as _______?
- correct answer-Control rods
Summarize the major differences between BWRs and PWRs. - correct answer-In a BWR,
the steam that spins the turbine is radioactive because it comes directly from the reactor
core. A PWR makes use of a steam generator. The steam generator takes the heat from the
reactor core and makes steam that is not radioactive to spin the turbine-generator. It adds a
step to the generation process, but it also allows for a turbine that is free or radioactive
contamination, allowing for easier maintenance.
True or false. Most nuclear power plants in commercial operation in the United States are
located in the western United States. - correct answer-False
True or false. All high-level waste is presently stored in a federal repository. - correct
answer-False
Where is most spent nuclear fuel stored? - correct answer-in on-site pools at the power
plants
