Question

In an effort to decrease reliance on electricity production from fossil fuel combustion, some states have proposed building additional nuclear power plants. Which of these nonrenewable resources is most likely to be used as fuel in a nuclear reactor core to generate electricity?

A) Iron ore B) Uranium-235 C) Natural gas D) Hydrogen fuel ce

Answer 1

Uranium-235 is most likely to be used as fuel in a nuclear reactor core to generate electricity because it can sustain a nuclear fission reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely fuel to be used in a nuclear reactor core for the generation of electricity is B) Uranium-235. Unlike other nonrenewable resources such as iron ore, natural gas, and hydrogen fuel cells, uranium-235 is capable of sustaining a nuclear fission reaction.

When atoms of uranium-235 are fissioned, they release heat and high energy radiation and enough neutrons to maintain a chain reaction. Nuclear power plants harness this energy to produce electricity, and although uranium is a finite resource and thus nonrenewable, current supplies are expected to last until about the year 2100 at current rates of use.