17. The following nuclear decay is currently taking place inside the reactor core our nearby nuclear...

 

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17. The following nuclear decay is currently taking place inside the reactor core our nearby nuclear power plant in Pickering. 235Un 144Ba + 30 Kr + 2n + energy a) Explain why this reaction would be "self-sustaining" (can keep going by itself). b) Referring to the decay formula above, explain the role of control rods in nuclear power plants. c) Referring to the formula in part (a), explain the role of the moderator in a nuclear power plant. d) Use the following data to determine the amount of energy released for each decay reaction. Ba-144 atomic mass: Kr-90 rest mass: 143.922953 u 89.919517 u U-235 rest mass: Neutron rest mass: 235.0435955 u 1.0086449 u e) What mass of uranium is required to produce 1 kJ of electricity (assuming the nuclear reactor is 100% efficient)? 17. The following nuclear decay is currently taking place inside the reactor core our nearby nuclear power plant in Pickering. 235Un 144Ba + 30 Kr + 2n + energy a) Explain why this reaction would be "self-sustaining" (can keep going by itself). b) Referring to the decay formula above, explain the role of control rods in nuclear power plants. c) Referring to the formula in part (a), explain the role of the moderator in a nuclear power plant. d) Use the following data to determine the amount of energy released for each decay reaction. Ba-144 atomic mass: Kr-90 rest mass: 143.922953 u 89.919517 u U-235 rest mass: Neutron rest mass: 235.0435955 u 1.0086449 u e) What mass of uranium is required to produce 1 kJ of electricity (assuming the nuclear reactor is 100% efficient)?