After a uranium fuel rod reaches the end of its fuel cycle (typically 3 years)most of its energy comes from the fissioning of plutonium because

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the fuel cycle, U-238 absorbs a neutron from fissioning U-235 to become U-239. This decays to form Pu-239, which is fissionable and can sustain the chain reaction in a nuclear reactor. Therefore, as the fuel rod reaches the end of its cycle, most of its energy comes from the fissioning of Pu-239 formed from the U-238 absorbing neutrons from the fissioning U-235.

After a Uranium Fuel Rod Reaches the End of Its