A) explode like atomic bombs
B) overheat and melt
C) cause a steam explosion
D) spread radioactive material
please provide source
2006-12-06 06:40:09 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Explode like atomic bombs
2006-12-06 06:42:15 · answer #1 · answered by Mike E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is A.
In order for a nuclear power plant to explode like a nuclear bomb, the core must be over 95% pure, and in a particular design that promotes rapid (in milliseconds) critical mass fission. Since the cores are designed with 5% purity, the rapid critical mass fission cannot occur, through deliberate design.
B: Happened in Chernobyl - design & operator errors.
C: Happened in Chernobyl - core reached a critical tempature, and blew off the containment lid.
D: Happened in Chernobyl and Three Mile Island.
2006-12-06 19:08:55 · answer #2 · answered by Big Super 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A. The reactivity is deliberately kept low enough that the reactor cannot go "prompt critical". There are a number of neutrons released during nuclear fission that are not released immediately, and these delayed neutrons are relied on to achieve criticality.
2006-12-06 14:49:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are sure that the answer isn't none of the above, it must be A. I am certain that B, C, and D can happen and have happened. (Also, to protect against nuclear weapons proliferation, one of the practices that is restricted is enriching a power plant's uranium to make it weapon ready.)
2006-12-06 14:43:39 · answer #4 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A) explode like atomic bombs
2006-12-06 14:59:10 · answer #5 · answered by fedal v 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋