GENERAL SCIENCE

Nuclear
CHAPTER
5
Nuclear Technology
Sciencee
Alpha decay is when a
particle, which is two protons
A
nucleus releases an alpha
and two neutrons,
nucleus. Beta decay is the
is technology that involves equivalent to a helium
Nuclear technology electron.
nuclei. Among
reactions of atomic release of a beta particle, a high-energy
the nuclear nuclear which
the notable
nuclear technologies are Gamma decay releases gamma rays,
medicine and nuclear weapons. do not matter but
reactors, nuclear unlike alpha and beta radiation
other things, in smoke electromagnetic radiation of very high frequency
Itis also used, among
detectors and gun sights. of radiation is the
and therefore energy. This type
All
In 1896, Henri Becquerel was investigating most dangerous and
most dificult to block.
in uranium salts when he occur naturally in
certain
phosphorescence three types of radiation
discovered a new phenomenon which came to
elements.
be called radioactivity.
Curie and Marie Curie
Henri Becquerel, Pierre
the phenomenon. They Nuclear Energy
began investigating
materials produce in the structure of the nuclei
discovered that radioactive Changes that occur
distinct sorts, reactions. Energy
intense, penetrating rays
of several of atoms are called nuclear
beta rays and called nuclear
which they called alpha rays, created in a nuclear reaction is
energy, or atomic energy.
gamma rays
and in
The new
of radioactivity was
phenomenon Nuclear energy is produced naturally
control.
seized upon by the
manufacturers of quack man-made operations under human
had the discoveries of electricity
(as is produced
medicine
Naturally: Some nuclear energy
number of patent
and magnetism, earlier), and a naturally. For example, the Sun and other stars
medicines and treatments involving radioactivity make heat and light by nuclear reactions.
were put forward. man-made
Man-Made: Nuclear energy can be
Gradually it was realized that the radiation nuclear
too. Machines called nuclear reactors,
produced by decay
radioactive was ionizing for many cities.
power plants provide electricity
radiation, and that quantities too small to
even
Man-made nuclear reactions also occur in the
burn could pose a severe long-term hazard. Many
explosion of atomic bombs.
of the scientists working on radioactivity died of
cancer as aresult of their exposure. Radioactive
patent medicines mostly disappeared, but other Splitting the Uranium Atom
applications of radioactive materials persisted, element used in
Uranium 235U is the principal
SUch as the use of radium salts to produce
nuclear reactors and in certain types of atomic
glowing dials on meters. neutron strikes a 235U
bombs. When a stray
AS the atom came to be better understood, the
into it.
nucleus, it is at first absorbed
nature of radioactivity became clearer. Some
and this
larger atomic nuclei are unstable, and so decay This creates 236U. 236U is unstable
causes the atom to fission in the process.
(release matter or energy) after a random interval.
142Ba+
The three forms of radiation that Becquerel 235U+1 neutron =
2 neutrons+ 92Kr +
and the Curies discovered are also more fully ENERGY (236 236)
understood.
 148 OPsC (Asst. Executive Engineer (Civil) in Group-A)| General Studies
MADEOE EDE
Chain reaction
When the atom is split, 2 additional neutrons are released. This is how a chain reaction wor
s present, those 2 neutrons can cause 2 more atoms to split. Each of those atoms releases 1
ofks more
bringing the total neutrons to 4. Those 4 neutrons can strike 4 more 235U atoms, relea Amore netr
neutrons. The chain reaction will continue until all the 235U fuel is spent. This is roughiy whae
an atomic bomb. It is called a runaway nuclear reaction.
what happens

Types of Nuclear Reactions

Nuclear fission:
Nuclear Fission Fission product
in natural nuclear radiation, the byproducts are very small
compared to the nuclei from which they originate. Nuclear Incident

fission is the process of splitting a nucleus into roughly Release of energy neutron

equal parts, and releasing energy and neutrons

in
Fisionable
the process. lf these neutrons are nucleus

captured by another unstable nucleus,

they can fission as well, leading to a
chain reaction.
Incident
neutron
The average number of neutrons released
per nucleus that go on to fission another
Splitting of nucleus
nucleus is referred to as k. Values of k larger than 1 mean Fission product

that the fission reacion is releasing more neutrons than it absorbs, and theretore is referred to as a set
sustaining chain reaction. A mass of fissile material large enough (and in a suitable configuration) to
induce a self-sustaining chain reaction is called a critical mass.
When a neuiron is captured by a suitable nucleus, fission may occur immediately, or the nucleus may
unstable state for
persist in an a short [Link] there are enough immediate
decays to carry on
reaction, the mass is said to be prompt critical, and the energy release will growrapidly and uncontrolably
thechan
usuaily leading to an explosion
in 1951, the first nuciear fission power plant was the frst to produce electricity at the Experimental Breeder

Reactor No 1 (EBR-1), in Arco, Idaho, ushering in the "Atomic Age" of more intensive human energyuse
However f the mass is critical only when the delayed neutrons are inciuded, then the reaction cant
controled. for example by the introduction or removal of neutron absorbers. This is what alowsnucied
reactors to be built. Fast neutrons are noteasily captured by nuclei; they must be slowed (slow neurd
generally by colision with the nuclei of a neutron moderator, before they can be easilycaptured. Today
this type of fiss/on is cornmonly used to generate electricity.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear Fission Energy

Nuclear power plants have three main advantages over fossil-tuel plants.
Ise a
1. Once built, a nuclear plant can be less expensive to operate than a fossil-tuel plant, mainly because
nuclear plant uses a much smaler volume of fuel
9 Uranium, unlike fossil fuels, releases no chermical or solid pollutants into the air during use.
T h e y do not emit CO, and nence, do not contribute to global warming and climate change.
However., nuclear power planis nave tnree major dlsadvantages. These disadvantages have slowed
mADE EASY

General Science Nuclear Science 149

development of nuclear energy in some cOuntries.

Nuclear plants COst more to build than fossil-fuel released; when the nucleus is heavier than that
of iron, energy is
plants. generally absorbed.
his process of
Because of the need to ensure that hazardous fusion occurs in stars, which
derive their
amounts of radioactive materials are not released. energy from hydrogen and helium.
nuclear planis must meet certain government They form, through stellar nucleosynthesis, the
requlations that fossil-fuel plants do not have light elements (lithium to calcium) as well as
Some of the
to meet. For example, a nuclear plant must heavy elements (beyond iron and
satisty the government that it can quickly and nickel, via the S-process).
automatically deal with any kind of emergency. The remaining abundance of heavy elements,
3. Used nuclear fuel produces dangerous radiation from nickel to uranium and
beyond, is due to
long after t has been removed from the reactor supernova nucleosynthesis, the R-process.
As a result, safe disposal of nuclear waste Of COurse, these natural processes of
presents a challenge. astrophysics are not examples of nuclear
Many experts believe that the benefits of nuclear
"technology". Because of the very strong
repulsion of nuclei, fusic is difficult to achieve in
energy outweigh any problems involved in its
a controlled fashion.
production. Oil may become so scarce in a few
decades that it will be too expensive to drll. Canada, Hydrogen bombs obtain their enormous
Germany, Russia, the United States, and evern destructive power from fusion, but their energy
India among other cOuntries have enough coal to cannot be controlled. Controlled fusion is
meet their energy requirements for a long time at achieved in particle accelerators; this is how
present rates of use. However, coal releases large many synthetic elements are produced. A fusor
amounts of sulfur and other pollutants into the air can also produce controlled fusion and is a useful
when it is burned. It is also a major factor in carbon neutron source. However, both of these devices
emissions. If nuclear energy were fully developed, it operate at a net energy loss.
could completely replace oil and coal as a source of Controlled, viable fusion power has proven
electric power. elusive, despite the occasional hoax. Technical
and theoretical difficulties have hindered
the development of working civilian fusion
Nuclear fusion: technology, though research continues to this
day around the world.
Deuterium Helium
Nuclear fusion was initially pursued only in
theoretical stages during World War I, when
scientists on the Manhattan Project (led by
Edward Teller) investigated it as a method to
ENERGY build a bomb.
The project abandoned fusion after concluding
Fusion
that it would require a fission reaction to detonate.

It took until 1952 for the first full hydrogen bomb

Tritium Neutron to be detonated, s0-called because it used
reactions between deuterium and tritium.
Fusion reactions are much more energetic per
If nuclei are forced to collide, they can undergo
unit mass of fuel than fission reactions, but
nuclear fusion. This process may release or
starting the fusion chain reaction is much more
absorb energy. When the resulting nucleus
difficult.
IS lighter than that of iron, energy is normally
 General Studies
Executive Engineer (Civil) in Group-A)
150 OPsC(Ast.
NPOE ED
.The other 99.3% is U-238 which i
Where Does the Energy Come From?7
The uranium is usually
enriched o 253h
not issionatss
When the uranium atom is split, some of the
U-235 for use in light water reactoro
energy that held it together caled binding
energy is released as radiation in the
form of
.
Centrifugal separators are
used
ed in arium
heat. Therefore, the total mass does decrease enrichment.
a tiny bit during the reaction. Thusthe energy The enriched uranium fuel used in
fissi
cannot
released can be calculated by using the massof
fuel spent by using Einstein equation E=MC2. . It
be used to make a
bomb
takes enrichment to over 90%
eads
to ah
fast chain reaction
How Nuclear Fission Releases Energy?
necessary
rv for
tor Weapong
applications.
Nuclei consist of nucleons [neutrons+ protons = Enrichment to 15-30% IS
typical for hron
mass number). reactors.
The actual mass of a nucleus is
always less than
the sum of the masses of nucleons.
Nuclear Reactor
This difference is known as the
mass defect and
is a measure of the total A nuclear reactor is a system that
binding energy (and, controls sustained nuclear chain
contains andnd
hence, the stability) of the nucleus.
This Fuel
reactions
binding energy is released during [Enriched uranium-235 or
placed into the reactor vessel Plutonium-239
the s
formation of a nucleus.
along with a smalil
This conversion of neutron source.
mass to energy follows
Einstein's equation, E = mc2, where E is The neutrons start a chain reaction where
the each
energy equivalent of a mass, m, and
atom that splits releases more neutrons
c is the that
velocity oflight. other atoms to split.
cause
Each time an atom
Common Fissile Material splits, it releases large
amounts of energy in the
form of heat.
Uranium-233, Uranium-235, The heat is carried
Plutonium-239, out of the reactor by coolant,
which is most
Plutonium-241, etc. are the common fissile commornly just plain water.
material. The coolant heats
up and
Natural uranium is
composed of 0.72% U-235 spin a generator or drive goes off to a turbine to
shaft.
(the fissionable isotope), The coolant is the
99.27% U-238, and a material that passes througn
trace quantity 0.0055% the core,
U-234. transferring the heat from the fuel to
The 0.72% U-235 is
not sufficient to a [Link] could be
self-sustaining critical chain reaction. produce a sodium, helium, or water, heavy-water, liquid
For light-water The turbine something else.
reactors, the fuel must be enriched transfers the heat from
to 2.5-3.5% U-235.
electricity, just like in a fossil-fuel the coolant to
Plutoniurm-239 can be The containment is the plant.
produced by "breeding" it structure made
from uraniurn-238 reinforced concrete that of stee
Thoriurn-232 is afertile material able to
from the
environment. separates the reactor
a neutron and absorb Chernobyl did
strong containment structure. not have a
undergo transmutation into the
fissile nuclide
uranium-233, which is the basis of
the thoriurm fuel
cycle. Nuclear Reactor Coolant
A nuclear
Uranium Enrichment reactor coolant
molten salt- is circulated past uSually water or
Natural uranium is
to absorb the heat that it the reactor core
only 0.7% U-235, the .
The heat is carried
generates.
fissionable isotope. away from the
then used to generate steam. reactor and is
mADE ERSY

General Science Nuclear Science 151

Neutron Moderator
Critical mass
moderator is a medium that reduces
A neutron A Critical mass is the smallest amount of fissile
the peed of fast neutrons, thereby turning them material needed for a sustained nuclear chain
neutrons capable of sustaining
into thermal a reaction
nuclear chain reaction. The critical mass of a fissionable material depends
fissile atomic nucleus such as upon its nuclear properties, its density, its shape,
When a large
ranium-235 or plutonium-239 absorbs a neutron, its enrichment, its purity, its temperature, and its
nuclear fission. Surroundings.
it may undergo
When a nuclear chain reaction in a mass of fissile
The heavy nucleus splits into two or more lighter
material is self-sustaining, the mass is said to be
nuclei, (the fission products), releasing kinetic
in a critical state in which there is no increase
and free neutrons.
energy, gamma radiation, or decrease in power, temperature, or neutron
Aportion of these neutrons may later be absorbed population.
atoms and trigger further fission
by other fissile
events, which release more neutrons, and so on.
Criticality
This is known as a nuclear chain reaction. Criticality is a nuclear term that refers to the
To control such a nuclear chain reaction, neutron balance of neutrons in the system.
poisons and neutron moderators can change the Balance of neutrons can be achieved using
on to cause more
portion of neutrons that will go moderators and control rods.
fission "Subcritical" refers to a system where the loss
Commonly-used moderators include regular rate of neutrons is greater than the production

(light) water (in 74.8% of the world's reactors), rate of neutrons and therefore the neutron
water population decreases as time goes on.
solid graphite (20% of reactors)., heavy
the
(5% of reactors) and "Supercritical" refers to a system where
the
production rate of neutrons is greater than
Reactivity control oss rate of neutrons and therefore the neutron
Control Rods or
population increases.
The power output of the reactor is adjusted by
are able to create
When the neutron population remains constant,
Controlling how many neutrons there is a perfect balance between
this means
more fissions.
production rate and loss rate, and the nuclear
Control rods that are made of a neutron poison "critical."
system is said to be
are used to absorb neutrons. the neutron
When a reactor is starting up,
Moderators slow down neutrons increased slowly in a controlled
population is
Control Rods absorb neutrons neutrons are produced
manner, so that
more

becomes
and the nuclear reactor
Moderators are like accelerators than are lost,
Control Rods are like brakes supercritical.
desired power level
is achieved,
Absorbing in a control rod means
more neutrons W h e n the
critical
is placed into a
that there are fewer neutrons available to cause the nuclear reactor
and
the neutron population
fission. configuration to keep
power constant.
the reactor
0 pushing the control rod deeper into shutdown, the reactor
is placed
wIl reduce its power output, and extracting
the Finally, during the neutron
configuration so that
control rod will increase it. in a subcritical
decreases.
and power
population
Control rods are composed of chemical elements
Such as boron, silver, indium and cadmium.
 152 OPSC (Asst. Executive Engineer (Civil) in Group-A)| General Studies

Therefore, when a reactor is said to have Positron emitting nucleotides E ERS

"gone critical," it actually means it is in a stable resolution, short time are
used for
configuration producing a constant power known as Positron imaging in
emission tomograph hin
Neutron poison Radiation
radiation therapy.
is
also used to
treatat aphy.
application
diseases
A neutron
poison (also called a neutron absorber
or a nuclear poison) is a
neutron absorption
substance with a large Industrial applications
such as nuclear
cross-section, in
applications Since some ionizing
reactors.
matter, they are used forradiation can
methods. X-rays and a
variety of mea pene
Applications of Nuclear Technology in industrial gamma ravs Ar
the inside of radiography to
solid products, make images
USed
Nuclear power nondestructive testing and as a
means dnt
Nuclear power is a The piece to be inspection.
type of nuclear
involving the controlled technology the source and a radiographed is placed betweenen
release energy for use of
work
nuclear fission to After a certain photographic film in cassete a
heat, and the
generation including propulsion, developed exposure time, the
Nuclear energy is
of
electricity. of the material.
and itshows any internal film is
nuclear chain produced by a controlled defects
reaction
which is used to which creates
heat and
Gauges: Gauges use the
drive a steam
boil water,
turbine. produce steam, and
law of
gamma rays exponential absorption
generate electricity and/orThe turbine is used to Level indicators:
placed Source and
to
Currently nuclear power do mechanical work. at
opposite sides of
detector are
15.7% of the
world's provides approximately indicating the
presence or absencecontainer a

used to electricity (in 2004) and

propel aircraft carriers, is
material in the
horizontal radiation of
Beta or path.
submarines (so far
ports have economics icebreakers
and
fears
and
in some depending
gamma sources are
on the
used,
prevented
transport ships).
the use of
nuclear of the
material to thickness and the density
power in is used for be measured.
All nuclear The method
made fusion power plants use fission.
reaction has resulted No man- substances containers of
liquids or of
grainy
source of electricity. in a
viable Thickness gauges: if
constant the material
radiation density, the signal is of
Medical applications detector measured by the
of the
material. depends on the thickness
The medical
applications of nuclear production, like ofThispaper,
is useful
for continuous
are Electrostatic control: To rubber, etC.
diagnostics and technology
divided into
static
treatment. radiation electricity in productionavoid the build-up or
Imaging synthetic textiles, etc., a of
paper,
in
medicine
The largest use of ionizing of the
alpha emitter ribbon-shaped plastiCS
is in
medical radiation to the 241Am
material at the end can be
sourCe
images of the inside of radiography to make The source placed close
of the
-rays. This is the
the human
body using charges on the ionizes the air to production line.
radiation exposure forlargest artificial source of material remove electric
humans Radloactive tracers: Since
Medical and behave, radioactive
cobalt-60
dental -ray
imagers Use element, chemically,
mostly isotopes
or other x-ray behavior of a like the inactive
the
radiopharmaceuticals sources. A number of substance can be certain chemical
attached to
are used,
organic molecules, tosometimees
radioactivity. Examplesfollowed by tracing the
radioactive tracers or act as Adding a gamma tracer to a
human body. contrast agents in the closed system makes it gas or
in a tube. possible liquid in a to find a hole
mADE ERSY
General Science| Nuclear Science 153
tracer to the surface of the Food irradiation is the process
.Adding a
motor makes it possible to
of expoSing
omponent of a food to ionizing radiation in order to destroy
co m

the activity of the microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, or insects

measure wear by measuring
lubricating oil. that might be present in the food. The radiation

Oil and Gas Exploration: Nuclear wel Iogging SOurces used include
radioisotope gamma
electron
to help predict the commercial viability ray sources, X-ray generators and
is used accelerators. Further applications include
af new or existing wells. Ihe technology involves
neutron or gamma-ray source sprout inhibition, delay of ripening, increase of
of a
the use juice yield, and improvement of rehydration.
a radiation detector which are lowered
and Irradiation is a more general term of deliberate
to determine the propertiessof
into boreholes exposure of materials to radiation to
achieve a
roCK Such as porosity and
the surrounding technical goal (in this context 'ionizing radiation
lithography. on non-food
is implie(d). As such it is also used
Nuclear moisture/density
, Road Construction: items, such as medical hardware, plastics,
are used to determine the density of soils, tubes for gas-pipelines, hoses for floor-heating
gauges
and concrete. Typically a cesium-137
asphalt, shrink-foils for food packaging. automobile
tires, and
parts, wires and cables (isolation),
source is used.

even gemstones.
Commercial application The genuine effect of processing food by

ionizing radiation relates to damages to the

Radioluminescence

with DNA, the basic genetic information for life.

.Tritium illumination: Tritium is used
Microorganisms can no longer proliferate
in rifle to increase nighttime
sights
phosphor and continue their malignant or pathogenic
markers and
firing accuracy. Some runway activities. Spoilage causing microorganisms
building exit signs use the same technology, to cannot continue their activities.
during blackouts.
remain illuminated The amount of energy imparted for effective
Betavoltaics. food irradiation is low compared to cooking
Smoke detector: An ionization smoke the same; even at a typical dose of 10 kGy

detector includes a tiny mass of radioactive most food, which is (with regard to warming)
americium-241, which is a source of alpha physically equivalent to water, would
warm by
radiation. Two ionisation chambers are placed only about 2.5 °C (4.5 °F).
next to each other. Food irradiation is currently permitted by over
to
40 countries and volumes are estimated
Food processing and agriculture exceed 500,000 metric tons (490,000 long tons;
worldwide.
550,000 short tons) annually
In biology and agriculture, radiation is used to non-nuclear
induce mutations to produce new or improved Food irradiation is essentialy a
use of ionizing
species, such as in atomic gardening. technology: it relies on the
insect
radiation which may be generated by
Another use in insect control is the sterile conversion into
accelerators for electrons and
technique, where male insects are sterilized by use gamma
bremsstrahlung, but which may also
radiation and released, so they have no offspring, There is a worldwide
rays from nuclear decay.
to reduce the population. the
industry for processing by ionizing radiation,
food applications, radiation is
majority by number and by processing
power
In industrial and
Used for sterilization of tools and equipment. An Food irradiation is only a
using accelerators.
advantage is that the may be sealed in
object niche application compared to
medical supplies,
plastic before sterilization. An emerging use in materials, raw materials, gemstones,
plastic
Tood production is the sterilization of food using cables and wires, etc.
food irradiation.
 General Studies
154 OPSC (Asst. Executive Engineer (Civil) in Group -A)|
MADE ERS
Main types of nuclear reactors
Boiling Water Reactors
In a typical design concept of a commercial BWR, the following process occurs:
1 The core inside the reactor vessel creates heat.

A steam-water mixture is produced when very pure water (reactor coolant) moves
core. absorbing heat.
upwardard through the
3 The steam-water mixture leaves the top of the
and enters the two stages of moisture
core
separatin.
water droplets removed before the steam is allowed to enter the steamline.
are
here
4 The steamline directs the steam
to the main turbine,
causing it to turn the turbine generator, which
electricity. The prode.
unused steam is exhausted to the
condenser, where it is condensed into water. The duces
water is pumped out of the resi
condenser with a series of pumps, reheated, and
vessel. The reactor's core contains pumped back to the react uiting
fuel assemblies that are cooled actor
by water circulated using electrical
powered pumps. These pumps and other
electrical grid. If offsite power is lost, operating systems in the plant receive their power
emergency cooling water is supplied by other from tha
powered by onsite diesel pumps, which
need electric power. BWRs
generators. Other safety systems, such as the containment can be
contain between 370-800 fuel cooling system, also
assemblies.
Advantages of Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)
The reactor vessel and
associated components operate at a substantially lower
Pressure vessels pressure compared to PWR.
are
subject to significantly less irradiation
Operates at a lower nuclear fuel compared to a PWR.
Fewer
temperature.
components due to no steam generators and no
Lower risk
(probability) of a
pressurizer vessel.
rupture causing loss of coolant
Can operate at lower core compared to a PWVR.
power density levels using natural
Circulation without forced flow.

Cont ainment Structure

tsigtittktote

Reactor
Vesse
Generator
M.
Comtrol Rods Turbiner

Condenser
MRDE ERSY
General Science| NuclearScience 155

to less
boric acio to control TISSIOn burn-up to avoid the production of tritiurm leading
OARs do not use
corrosion within the reactor vessel and piping.
pssibility of low cost,
uses like power generation, and desalination, due to
DOSS

awRs
W R s are
ideally suited tor peacetul efficiency.
B
lower thermal
simplicity, and safety focus, which come at the expense of larger size and slightly

of Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Disadvantages
of nuclear fuel. This also reguires
complex calculations for managing consumption
more
BWRs require
instrumentation in the
reactor core.
more
containment ability after the
Fukushima nuclear
concerns raised about the pressure
There have been
accidents. reactor core
below for current BWR designs. In case of power failure, the
rods are inserted from
Control
and turn catastrophic.
can undergo significant damage

Pressurised Water Reactor

Pressuriser steam
Transmission
Control Generator
Rods Tower

Generator

Turbine

Reactor Condensor
Vessel
Containment Structure
Cooling Tower

occurs:
process
a commercial PWR, the following
In a typical design concept of
vessel creates heat.
1. The core inside the reactor steam generator.
coolant loop carries
the heat to the
2. Pressurized water in the primary the water in a secondary
loop,
primary coolant loop vaporizes
heat from the
. Inside the steam generator,

producing steam. generator, wnich produces

turbine, causing it to turn the turbine
steam to the main
4. Ihe steamline directs the
water is
electricity. water. The resulting
is condensed into
where it The
Unused steam is exhausted
to the condenser, back to the steam generator.
E
reheated, and pumped
pumped out of the condenser
with a series of pumps, electrically powered pumps
by water circulated using
that are cooled
the electrical grid.
If offsite
contains fuel assemblies their power from
ctor's core receive
systems in the plant which can be powered by
onsite diesel
Pumps and other operating
SE by other pumps, PWRs
cooling water is supplied system, also
need electric power.
PoWErIS lost, emergency containment cooling
r a t o r S . Other systems, such as the
safety
Contain between 150-200 fuel assemblies.
 156 OPSC(Asst. Bxecuthive Engineer (Civil) in Group -A)| General Studies

Advantages of Pressurized Heavy-Water .The proliferation risk of

DADE E
Reactor (PHWR) was demonstrated when
hea
It be plutonium for India Nalet reatd
operated without expensive uranium Operation
oroducedha
can
enrichment facilities. nuclear weapon test, by Smiling Buddk
The mechanical fuel of extraction to
arrangement places most of the heavy-water
a
research reactor
moderators at lower
temperatures. The resulting
the CIRUS reactor. ctor knowm a
thermal neutrons are "more
thermal" making
PHWR more efficient. So, PHWR uses fuel more Fast Breeder Reactor
efficiently.
Since unenriched uranium The nuclear chain reaction in the
fuel accumulates a uranium u
ower density of fission thermal reactor is sustained
products than enriched by slowing d
uranium fuel, it neutrons by a moderator. he
generates less heat,
more compact storage. allowing FBTRis sustained by fast chain react
neutrons. The
neutrons released per fission is numher.
more comna
to that of thermal
Disadvantages of Pressurized Heavy-Water are available for
reactor. The extra
neutr
ed
trons
Reactor (PHWR) absorption in
transform it to fissile uranium-238 h
The reduced
energy content of natural uranium In a thermal reactor
plutonium-239.
as
compared enriched uranium
to of the natural
typically only about 1-2 percent
uranium is
more
frequent replacement of fuel. necessitates the utilization is
utilized whereas in
increased 60 to 70 FBTRs
The increased rate of
fuel movement
times.
reactor also results in through the Considering the nuclear and heat
fuel than in LWRs higher volumes of spent properties of various possible coolants, transier
employing enriched uranium. has been Sodium
FBTRs.
universally accepted as the coolant
for
In Thermal reactors water
Nuclear is used asa
proliferation and PHWR COolant.

Opponents The
of
heavy-water reactors suggest radioactivity released
to the
dose received theatmosphere
that such reactors and the radiation
pose a much greater risk of by operating
nuclear
proliferation than personnel in FBTRs has been
reactors. comparable light water compared to the water control much less
Natural FBTR is based on reactors.
is not
Uranium-238 fissile [because enrichment reactor, France.
the design
of the Rhapsodc
required] of a
heavy-water reactor is
Converted into The fuel used to
Suitable for use plutonium-239,
a fissile material FBTR is mixed carbide o
a
in nuclear
weapons plutonium and natural uranium. The carbide fuer
As a result, if the has higher breeding
a
fuel of a ratio due
is changed frequently, significant heavy-water reactor density and thermal to its higher
weapons-grade plutonium amounts of oconductivity.
can be
extracted from the irradiated chemically Why India Prefers Fast
natural uranium fuel
by nuclear reprocessing Breeders:
A fast breeder reactor
In this
way, the materials necessary
construct to than it consumes, (FBR) breeds more fue
a nuclear weapon can be that is it
uraniurm enrichment
obtained without any plutonium than it consumes while produces more
In addition, the use of heavy water as a
power. For a uranium generating
scarce country like
technology. Plutonium India,it
moderator is an attractive
results in the
production of small armounts of in the thermal
reactors as produced
tritium when the deuterium nuclei in
the heavy suitable as the fuel materialspent fuel is ideally
water absorb neutrons. for use in
due to its high fission the FBR
Tritium is essential for the neutron yield.
production of boosted
fission weapons, which in turn enable the
Since the number of
neutrons
easier plutonium fission is high, it produced in
production of thermonuclear weapons, including helps to
neutron bombs.
more plutonium from
uranium (u238) produce
blanket surrounding the fuel core of used as a
the FBR.
MADE E R S Y General Science | Nuclear Science 157

ss
less uranium and that too
FBR
also
consumes

Uranium
While the therm. reactors exploit
effectively.
Uranium is a silvery-gray metallic radioactive
very
uranium, a FBR utilizes 70-75
only 0.6
per cent chemical element. It is only naturally formed in
Thus, it leaves lesS radioactive
ercent of
In tact, many scientists in Supernova explosions
cte to dispose of. the
Waste

FBHS tor the same reason Uranium, thorium, and potassium are

India prefer main elements contributing to natural terrestrial

radioactivity.
Atomic M i n e r a l s
Uranium has the chemical symbol U and atomic
Uranium and Thorium are the main atomic number 92.
atomic minerals are beryllium, Uranium isotopes in natural uranium are 2380
minerals. Other
ithium and zirconium. (99.27%) and 235U (0.72%).
All uranium isotopes are radioactive and
OCCur in Singhbhum and
. Uranium deposits support a
districts of Jharkhand, Gaya fissionable. But only 235U is fissile (will
Hazaribagh neutron-mediated chain reaction).
and in the sedimentary rocks in
district of Bihar, everywhere.
found
district of Uttar Pradesh. Traces of Uranium are
Saharanpur
Commercial extraction is possible only in
source of uranium comprises the
. But the largest locations where the proportion of
Uranium is
monazite sands.
adequate. There are very few such locations.
.Monazite sands
OCCur on east and west coasts
places in Bihar. But the largest
and in some
Distribution of Uranium Across the World
sand is the Kerala
concentration of monazite
on
are found in Australia,
coast. Largest viable deposits
Kazakhstan, and Canada.
uranium is estimated to be
Over 15,200 tonnes of mine in Southern
contained in monazite. Olympic Dam and the Ranger
Australia.
Australia are important mines in
found in the copper mines of
Some uranium is found in the
High-grade deposits are only
Udaipur in Rajasthan.
Athabasca Basin region of Canada.
world's
about 2 percent of the Canada
Lake, McArthur River basin in
are
India produces Cigar
of uranium are
uranium. The total reserves
other important uranium mining
sites.
estimated at 30,480 tonnes. central Kazakhstan
monazite. The other
.The Chu-Sarysu basin in of the country's
Thorium is also derived from alone accounts for over half
mineral carrying thorium is thorianite. known uranium resources.

are
Ihe known of thorium in India
reserves

and 508,000
estimated to be between 457,000 Uranium in India
Tamil Nadu
tonnes. Kerala, Jharkhand, Bihar,
I n d i a has no significant reserves of Uranium. Al
and Rajasthan are the main producers. needs are met through imports.
is used 'moderator' in of of uranium
Beryllium oxide as a
reserves
India imports thousands tonnes

nuclear reactors. India has sufficient France, and

from Russia, Kazakhstan,
atomic
of berylium to meet her requirement of I n d i a is trying hard to import uranium from

power generation. There are some concerns

Australia and Canada.
Lithiumis a light metal which is found in lepidolite nuclear proliferation
and other related
regarding
and spodumene. Lepidolite is widely distributed is trying to sort out.
issues which India
in the mica belts of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh reserves were recently discovered
S o m e quality
and Rajasthan. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
in parts of
in Seshachalam forest
and Sresailam
irconium is found along the Kerala coast and between
alluvial rocks of Ranchi and Hazaribagh districis of Andhra to Southern edge
(Southern edge
of Jharkhand. of Telangana]
 Studies

Executive
Engineer
(Civil) in
Group-A)
General

meDE
(Asst.
158 oPSC

URANIUM OCCURRENCE
IN INDIA

Mew Delht
Rohil-Ghateshwar Gwalior shiiong fasin
Araralls
S o n Valley Domiasigt,
Singhbtfum ahka
Jajawal
Kolkata
Chandigar basin
Badal
Mumbai
Bhima Bas Hyderabàd
Gogi pdepur-Peddagattu
Cuddapah Basin
Tymmalapalle
Gar
Walkunj
Chennai Operating Uranium Mines
(Jaduguda, Bhatin, Nerwapahar, Turamdh
aProspective Uranium Mines
Potential Uranium Belts
.Other Uranium Occurrences

Thorium
Thorium is a chemical element with symbol Th and atomic number
90
It is one of
only two
significantly radioactive elements that still occur
being uranium] naturally in large
Thorium metal is
quantities [otner
silvery and tarnishes black when exposed to air
Thorium is weakly radioactive: all
its known
ones (thorium-227, 228,
isotopes are unstable, with
229, 230, 231, 232, and the seven
Thorium-232 is the most stable isotope of thorium234). naturally occurring
five natural isotopes and accounts for
OCCurring only in traces. nearly all natural
Thorium is estimated to be about three to thorium, with the othe
four times more
is chiefly refined from
monazite sands (Monazite containsabundant than uranium
in the Earth's
on the Kerala
Coast) 2.57%
thorium). crust, ana
Thorium is predicted to be able to
(Monazite is widely scattered
thorium reactors have yet been replace uraniurm as nucledr Tuer in
completed. nuclear
reactors. but only a few
Monazite -Rare Earth Metals
Monazite is a
reddish-brown phosphate mineral containing
Rare earths rare earth metals.
are a series of chemical elements found in the
technologies, including Earth's crust that
consumer electronics, are vital
advanced transportation, health computers and networks, communieat to
care, environmental mitigation, national many modern
defense, andi Clean
energy
 General Science NuclearScience 159
MADE E A S Y

Plants in India
Power
Nuclear

Haryana
Rawatbhata,
Rajasthan
4x00Mw
1x100Mw Narora, Uttar Pradesh
1x200MW
2x 220 MW
4x 220 MW

Kakrapar
Gujarat
2x 220MW

Madhya Pradesh Haripu,

2 x700 MW West Bengal
Mithi Virdi, 6x 1000 MW
Gujarat Tarapur
6 x 1000 MW Maharashtra
2x 160 MW
2x 540 MW
Jaitapur,
Maharashtra Kovvada,
6 x 1650 MW Andhra Pradesh
6 x 1000 MW
Kaiga
Karnataka
3 x 220 MW
Kalpakkam,
1x 220 MW Tamil Nadu Seismic Zones
2 x220 MW

Zone 2 Least Prone Proposed projects

4560 MW
Under operation
Zone 3
Kudankulam,
Ongoing project-2220 MW
Tamil Nadu
Zone 4
Zone 5 Most Prone
2 x 1000 MW
4 x 1000 MW

these elements help make

electrochemical properties,
luminescent, and consumption, or give
unique magnetic,
Of their and energy
Use
reduced emissions,
with reduced weight, durability, and
thermal stability.
1echnologies perform miniaturization, speed,
ldiy performance, Ytrium etc -(names
Egreaterefficiency, earth elements.
[Scandium,
considered to be
rare
17 elements that are
nere are avoiding them)
are very strange and hence I am
harder to
retrieve safely from a
Advantages of Thorium material (U-233)
is
gamma
is not
Weapons-grade
fissionable
contains U-232,
a strong
source
of
dion easy: thorium also difficult to handle
thallium-208, Is equally
transmuting
produced by
Uumreactor [U-233 product,
with. Its daughter
makes it difficult to work
nat
and easy to detect.
 General Studies
160 OPSC (Asst. Executive Engineer (Civil) in Group-A)
Thorium reactors produce far less waste than medical diagnostics and
MPOE EPSH
present-day reactors. Science & Technology.
therapy fo for u
Thorium produces 10 to 10,000 times less long-
ing alomic
It's in this context that in
April 194R
lived radioactive waste [minuscule waste that is
Energy Bill was enacted with 8, the Atom
generated is toxic for only three or four hundred
objective develop, contr and the prima
to
the omir,
years rather than thousands of years]. us
energy for peaceful purposes, a
They have the ability to burn up most of the clear d atomie
highly radioactive and long-lasting minor
actinides [fifteen radioactive metallic elements
from the policy followed
often forgotten
by the nuclear
or ignored by
eparpowersture
the interoe
from actinium (atomic number
89) to lawrencium
(atomic number 103) in the periodic table] that
community.
India under the
nationa
makes nuclear waste from
leadership of Jawah
Light Water Reactors was dedicated to the peaceful uses Nehg
a nuisance to deal
with. energy but it couldn
of atcm
tom nic
Thorium reactors are
wish away the
higher burn up.
cheaper because they have threat posed by nuclear weapons, and lurkin
force Indian option for so per
Thorium mining nuclear weapons
produces a single pure isotope kept open for both areas peaceful Wae
whereas the mixture of natural
uranium isotopes and the weapon applications
must be enriched
[enriching is costly] to function
option.
in most common reactor
designs. Subsequently, India's Atomic
Thorium cannot sustain a Commission was set up on 10 Energy
without priming, so fission
nuclear chain reaction
under the
August, 1948
stops by default in an Chairmanship of Dr. Bhabha
accelerator driven reactor with the sole
objective of
formulation and
And five, thorium
reactors are
significantly more
implementation of the
governmental policy
proiiferation-resistant
than present reactors. relating to the
development nuclear power of
inIndia. In fact, India
Thorium Distribution was
countries of the world to among
the first eight
Thorium is several times have an Atomic
Crust than all
more abundant in Earth's Commission. Energy
and
isotopes of uranium combined The next
thorium-232 is several hundred times step was the
abundant than uranium-235. more
Department of
establishment of the
The United
Atomic Energy (DAE) with
States, Australia, and India Bhabha as its
particularly large reserves of thorium. have Secretary in
August 1954, the
objectives of which,
inter alia
India and Australia are
believed to possess more Proper use of the latest included
development of nuclear technologies for the
than half of the world's
thoriurn reserves.
To ensure
nuclear power
power
Nuclear Programme in India global economic generation against
Tata Institute of natural resources competition by exploiting
Fundamental Research (TIFR).
which carme up in
1945, provided the base Establishment
and safe use
of nuclear power reactors
and structure for of
organizing the early efforts for radioactive substances.
India's nuclear
energy progranme. Hence,
Production of nuclear power for
also it is defence thne meeting
referred to as the cradle of Indian nuclear To requirements of
India.
power progranne. understand the role of
The horrors of the nuclear economic development. nuclear power in

holocaust unleashed To carry out

in Hiroshima and programmes on isotopes
Nagasaki were followed by a radiation technology. and
new vista of atoms for
peace, of nuclear power To support basic
generation, transformations in and other
research in nuclear energy
agriculture and frontier areas of
science.
 161
General Science Nuclear Science
mADE E R S Y

programme for attaining self -reliance on a broad front

wiu
dia directed its nuclear power and fabricating
India
and mining, extraction of uranium and zirconium, designing
. Thu d mineral exploration and promoting
their use
compr
production ot heavy water, making radioisotopes
antrol systems,
reactor control systems,
radiation level for
ensuring
fety of nucilear power reactors and monitorind the
etc., safet
medicine,
culture,

a safe limit.

of Nuclear
Keymilestones of Programme:
each
capacity ot 540 MW for
the largest in India with a
384, at Tarapur in Maharashtra,
are
Tarapurunits
unit.
.RajasthanAtomic Powe
wer Station, Rawatbhata in Rajasthan, is India's first nuclear park.
accreditation for its
iS Asia's first nuclear power plant to obtain ISO-14001
Station
Alarora
Nard
Atomic Power
environment management system.
review by an
first Indian nuclear power plant to undergo a peer
Power Station was the
Kakrapar Atomic All other Indian
World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).
from the
team of experts
international reviewed by WANO.
stationsare also peer
nuclear power

Program
India's Nuclear Energy of tapping nuclear energy
for the purpose
proceeded to explore the possibility
consciously formulated by Homi
. India has nuclear power programme was
In this direction a three-stage
of power generation.
1950s.
Bhabha in the two naturallyy
framed and implemented with
the set objectives of using
The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 was
utilized as nuclear fuel in
Indian
and Thorium good potential to be
having
elements Uranium
occurring
Nuclear Power Reactors.
tonnes and Thorium are about 3, 60,000
Uranium are about 70,000
The estimated natural deposits of

tonnes in the country.

Three Stage programme

Water Reactor uses
Stage one: Pressurised Heavy
Natural UO2 as fuel matrix,
moderator and coolant.
Heavy water as based on imported technology.
Subsequent
of boiling water reactors
i n the reactor, the first two plants self- reliance in this
were

R&D efforts. India achieved complete

plants are of PHWR type through indigenous
industrial domain.
Technology and this stage of the programme is in the Water
of the Pressurized
of VVER type i.e. Russian version
E plan includes the setting up
Tuture

Heactor (PWR) is under progress to augment power

generation.
new fuel
conserve fuel and to develop
O X Tuel (Mixed oxide) is developed and
introduced at Tarapur to

technology. of Pu-239 obtained

from the first stage
the use
ECond stage of nuclear power generation envisages
in fast breeder reactors
(FB).
ECtor operation, as the fuel core
U-233 fuel.
breeder reactors using
programme is
Pse of India's Nuclear Power Generation
 EE
Operational Nuclear Power Plants in India

Power station Operator State Type Units

Total capar
Ka ga NPCIL Karnataka PHWR 220x4
Kakrapar NPCIL Gujarat PHWR 220x 2
IPHWR-700 700x 1 1140
Kudankulam NPCIL Tamil Nadu VER-1000 1000x 2
Madras NPCIL Tamil Nadu 2000
PHWR 220 x 2
(Kalpakkam)
A40
Narora NPCIL Uttar Pradesh PHWR 220x 2
Rajasthan NPCIL 440
Rajasthan PHWR 100x 1
200 x 1 1.180
larapur NPCIL
220x4
Maharashtra BWR 160 x 2
PHWR 540 x 2 1.400
Total
7,480
Nuclear power
Power station plants and reactors under
Operator State
construction in India
Type Units Total
Expected
Madras (Kalpakkam) capacity Commercial
Bhavini Tamil Nadu
(MW) Operation
PFBR
Kakrapar Unit 4 500x 1 500
NPCIL 2020
Gujarat IPHWR-700 700x 1
Gorakhpur 700
NPCIL 2022
Haryana IPHWR-700
Rajasthan Unit 7 and 8 700 x 2
NPCIL Rajasthan 1,400 2025
Kudankulam Un:t 3 and 4 PHWR-700 700x 2
NPCIL 1,400
Tamil Nadu VVER-1000 2022
1000 x 2
Total 2,000 2025-2026
6,000
Planned nuclear
Power station power plants in India
Operator State
Jaitapur Type
NPCIL Units Total capacity (MW)
Kovvada Maharashtra EPR
NPCIL 1650 x 6
Andhra Pradesh 9,900
Kaval AP1000
1100 x6
NPCIL
Andhra Ptadesh VVER 6,600
1000 x 6
6000
 General Science| Nuclear Science 163
MADE E R S Y

Planned nuclear power plants in India

Total capacity (MW)
Powerstation Operator State Type Units
700 x 2 1,400
NPCIL Haryana IPHWR-700
Gorakhpur

700x 4 2,800
NPCIL Rajasthan IPHWR-700
Mahi Banswara

Karnataka IPHWR-700 700 x 2 1,400

NPCIL
Kaiga

Madhya Pradesh IPHWR-700 700 x 2 1,400

NPCIL
Chutka

Tamil Nadu VER-1000 1000 x 2 2,000

5 and 6
NPCIL
Unit
Kudankulam
600x 2 1,200
BHAVINI Tamil Nadu FBR
Madras
300x 1 300
AHWR
Tarapur 33,000
Total

breeder
of U-233 fuelled
vast thorium deposits permit design and operation
India's

Nuclear Power Plant

operating and
Under construction
in India

Gorakhpu ONarora
Gorakhpur Delhi

Bhimpur
Rajasthan

Mahi Banswara
Chutka

Mithi Virdi Kakrapar

Tarapur
Mumbai Kovvada

Jaitapur
Kaiga

Madras Kalpakkam

Operating Kudankulam
New sites
 General Studies
164 OPSC([Link] Engineer (Civil) in Group-A)
RADE

Planned Nuclear
Power Plants
in India

Kumharia 1-4
2800 MWe PHWR

Delhi Narora
404 MWe

Rajasthan 7-8
11400 MWe PHWR Rajasthan
1085 MWe

Bargi 1-2
1400 MWe PHWR

Kakrapar
Tarapur 404+ 1300 MWe
1280 MWe

Jaitapur 1-2
Kaiga 5-6
3400 MWe PWR
2000 MWe
PWR? Kaiga
808 MWe
Kalpakkam 2-3
Madras 1000 MWe FBR
404 MWeKalpakkam
470 MWe

Kudankulam 3-6 Kudankulam

4200 MWe PWR1900 MWe

Nuclear Tests and Nuclear

Doctrine Ban the
on
In 2003, India has adopted its Nuclear Doctrine In nuclear test
May 1974, India
of No First Use' i.e.
India will use nuclear Pokhran with the conducted its first nuclear test l
weapons only in retaliation against codename of "Smiling
attack on its Territory.
a nuclear Between 11 and 13
May, 1998, five
Buddha
tests were
inaddition with this in 1965, India conducted as a part nuclear
countries proposed five
with NAM Pokhran-ll. These tests
of the
series o
were
the proliferation of points to prevent Operation Shakti-98 collectively calle0
nuclear weapons to UN
Disarmament commission. These According to a 2018
are: International Peace report by the Stockhol
Not to transfer Nuclear
technology Pakistan has Research Institute
No use of nuclear
to others
140-150 (SIPRI)
nuclear warheads
nuclear countries
weapons against non compared to India's 130-140
Pakistan has not stated a warheads.
UN security cover "no first
to non nuclear States there is little known about use" policy and
its
Nuclear disarmament nuclear doctrine
 uestion1s
Practice

NUCLEAR SCIENCE
Which of the following is the moderator used
.10 Which rays
a.1 nuclear reactor? penetrate more?
in the (a) Alpha rays
(a) Plutonium (b) Thorium
(b) Beta rays
(c) Graphite (d) Beryllium
(c) Gamma rays
Where are
mesons found? (d) None of the above
0.2 (b) X-rays
(a) Cosmic rays Q.11 In which rays Mesons are found?
(c) Gamma rays (d) Laser beam
(a) Beta rays (b) Gamma rays
Which isotope of Uranium has the capacity to (c) Cosmic rays (d) Laser rays
a.3 chain reaction?
sustain the Q.12 Thermonuclear bomb works on the principie
(a) U-230 (b) U-235 of:
(C) U-248 (d) U-239 (a) Fission (b) Fusion
from: (c) Both A and B (d) None of the above
a4 Stars obtain their energy
1. Nuclear fusion Q.13 What are isotopes?
2 Gravitational contraction (a) Elements having equal number of protons
3. Chemical reaction but different neutrons.
4 Nuclear fission () Elements having equal number of neutrons
but different protons
Select your answer from the codes given
(c) Elements having equal number of protons
below and neutrons.
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1,2 and 3 (d) Elements having equal number of protons
(c) 1 and4 (d) 2 and 4
neutrons and electrons.
Which of the following countries have nuclear Q.14 Who discovered cloud chambers ?
Q.5
weapons? (a) Madam curie
(a) India (b) Israel (6) Rutherford
(c) Pakistan (d) All of the above Charles Thomson Rees Wilson
(c)
Q.6 Which one of the following is the source of (d) Thomson
renewable energy in stars- released
Q.15 During an atomic explosion, energy
(a)Hydrogen changes into helium is due to:
(b) Helium changes into hydrogen Conversion of into neutrons.
protons
(a)
(c) Decay of radioactive material (b) Conversion of chemical energy into heat
Excess of oxygen which is helpful in
(d) energy.
burning and generating energy. (c) Conversion of mechanical energy into
nuclear energy.
a.7 Which one of the following elements is used in
(d) Conversion of mass into energy.
solar cells?
(a) Silicon (b) Cerium Q.16 Who demonstrated that the mass of an atom is
(c) Astatine (d) Vanadium located in the nucleus?

(a) Bohr (b) Thomson

Q.8 What is the source of electrical energy in an
c) Rutherford (d) Geiger-Marsden
artificial satellite?
(a) Solar cells Q.17 Which one of the following pairs is not correctly
(6) Mini nuclear reactor matched:
Meson
(c) Dynamo (a) Discovery of
Positron
Thermopile (b) Discovery of H.A.
production -

Q.9 Which of the following atomic particles have a (c) Theory of energy
Bethe
least mass? of transuranic elements Enrico
-

(d) Synthesis
(a) Proton (b) Electron
Fermi
c) Deuteron (d) Neutron
 in Group-A) General Studies
166 OPSC (Asst. Executive Engineer (Civil)
Q.18 One of these particles is claimed to have been
invented which rebuts Einstein's theory of
Q.24 Narora Nuclea
(a) Uttar PradeshPower plantsi mADE
in
relativity. (b) Rajasthan he
(a) Microwave Photon (c) Himachal Pradesh
sa
(b) Neutrino (d) Haryana
(c) Liquid crystal
Q.25 Which of the
(d) Light emitting diode
Nadu?
following is
Q.19 Cyclotrons are used to accelerate: (a) Kaiga Nuclear in lOcated
(a) Neutrons (b) Protons Power plant
(b) Hirakud Captive
(c) Atomns (d) lons Power Plant
a.20 Which one of the
(c)
Ramagundam Thermal Power
(d) Kudankulam Nuclear Sta
folowing can be used to
confirm whether
drinking water contains Q.26
Power plant
gamma emitting isotope or not?
a
Rawatbhata Nuclear Power
(a) Microscope plant is

(b) Lead plate (a) Maharashtra vateg

(c) Scintillation counter (b) Rajasthan
(d) Spectrophotometer (c) Punjab
Q.21 Among the following (d) Gujarat
highest energy? radiations, which has the
Q.27 Which of the
(a) Visible
matched? following is not
correcCty
(b) X-ray
(c) Ultra-violet (a) Tarapur-
(d) Infra-red Tamil Nadu
Q.22 The (b) Kalpakkam- Tamil
Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant is Nadu
which state? located in (c) Kaiga- Karnataka
(a) Karnataka (d) Jaitapur- Maharashtra
(c) Jharkhand (b) Maharashtra
(d) Tamil Nadu Q.28 When was
a23 the Atomic Energy
The Kalinadi
Hydro Electric Power established? Commission
the River
Kalinadi is in which plant along (a) 1948
(a) Andhra Pradesh state? (b) 1944
(c) 1950
(b) Maharashtra
Q.29 When (d) 1955
(c) Karnataka was India's first Nuclear
(d) Uttar Pradesh established? Power Reactor
(a) 1960
(c) 1967 (b) 1965
(d) 1969

ANSWER KEY
1.
NUCLEAR SCIENCE
(c) 2. (a)
3. (b) 4. (a)
10. (c) 5. (d)
11. (d) 6. (a)
12. (c) 13. (a) 7. (a)
14. (c) 8. (a)
19. (b) 15. (d) 9. (b)
20. (c)
21. (b) 22. (b) 16. (c)
23. (c) 17. (d)
28. (a) 24. (a) 18. (a)
29. (d) 25. (d)
26. (b)
27. (a)