Introductory Chemistry (5th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 032191029X
ISBN 13: 978-0-32191-029-5

Chapter 17 - Radioactivity and Nuclear Chemistry - Exercises - Questions - Page 637: 39

Answer

While nuclear reactors can have explosions, they cannot detonate like nuclear bombs. This is due to the difference in enrichment of the /uranium used in either scenarios. Reactors use Uranium that is enriched by around 20%, while bombs use much more potent Uranium at 80% or more. More enriched Uranium has the potential to cause chain reactions that are designed to lead to severe explosions.

Work Step by Step

While nuclear reactors can have explosions, they cannot detonate like nuclear bombs. This is due to the difference in enrichment of the /uranium used in either scenarios. Reactors use Uranium that is enriched by around 20%, while bombs use much more potent Uranium at 80% or more. More enriched Uranium has the potential to cause chain reactions that are designed to lead to severe explosions.
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