Answer
See answers.
Work Step by Step
These are discussed in section 31-2.
a. Three problems to be solved before one can make a functioning fission nuclear reactor:
i. A moderator must be developed to slow down the emitted neutrons so they can trigger another fission.
ii. A scheme, such as enrichment, must be developed so that emitted neutrons are absorbed by the desired nuclei to trigger further fissions, rather than be absorbed by non-fissionable nuclei
iii. Having enough nuclear fuel, a critical mass, to keep the reaction going. (Emitted neutrons will otherwise escape the reactor core.)
b. Three environmental problems/dangers that result from a nuclear fission reactor:
i. how to safely dispose of the radioactive waste
ii. how to prevent the accidental discharge of radioactive material into the environment
iii. how to mitigate structural damage to the plant due to radiation and heat, lengthening its lifetime
c. An additional problem associated with a breeder reactors is that they make plutonium, which is not only difficult to dispose of (due to its radioactivity and long half-life), but can itself be used to make a fission bomb.
