Question

How is nuclear power derived?
(A) It is derived from energy i.e, released when relatively large atoms of uranium, thorium are split by shooting neutrons on them.
(B) It is derived from energy i.e, released when relatively small atoms of uranium, thorium are split by shooting neutrons on them.
(C) It is derived from energy i.e, released when relatively large atoms of uranium, thorium are split by shooting electrons on them.
(D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question we first understand the term nuclear power. Nuclear power is a method to use nuclear reactions to produce heat energy, which can be obtained by nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion.

Complete step by step solution:
Nuclear power is used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants. Nuclear reactions process is used to generate nuclear power by the phenomenon such as nuclear fusion, fission and nuclear decay of heavy radioactive elements. Radioactive elements consist of heavy nuclei which spontaneously radiates energy by nuclear decay. This property is used in nuclear reactors to generate heat and energy. This heat energy is used to convert the water into steam which in turns runs the turbines by its extreme pressure and these turbines generate electricity.
The generation of nuclear power is a very complex process. When heavy radioactive elements are bombarded by the accelerated neutrons in the nuclear reactor chamber they result in the nuclear fission hence, as a result, a very extreme amount of heat is generated. Nuclear power is derived by using atoms of the heavy radioactive elements such as thorium and uranium. These atoms undergo nuclear fission when they are bombarded by the accelerated neutrons which result in the release of heat and radiation.

Hence the option (A) is the correct answer.

Note: Nuclear reaction is useful and provides clean energy but causes a very harmful impact on the environment. After the nuclear reaction, a huge amount of nuclear waste is generated that is also very radioactive which causes a great challenge of their disposal.