Nuclear reactions within power plants do not produce the explosive reactions characteristic of atomic bombs primarily because the ____________.
A)isotope of uranium used in power plants never undergoes explosive fission and therefore was never used in bombs
B)amount of uranium within nuclear fuel rods is enough to sustain a chain reaction but is less than the critical mass necessary for the reaction to become explosive

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The amount of uranium within nuclear fuel rods is enough to sustain a chain reaction but is less than the critical mass necessary for the reaction to become explosive. Additionally, the isotope of uranium used in power plants (U-235) is different from the one used in atomic bombs (U-235 or Pu-239), which further reduces the risk of an explosive reaction.

Nuclear Reactions Within Power Plants Do Not Produce the Explosive