To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on tho

Question

To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?
1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium.
2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium.
3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is D because all three statements accurately highlight the advantages of thorium over uranium.

Regarding statement 1, thorium is estimated to be about three to four times more abundant in nature than uranium. India, in particular, possesses one of the largest reserves of thorium in the world, primarily in monazite sands.

Regarding statement 2, thorium is more efficient in a reactor cycle. Unlike natural uranium, which contains only a tiny fraction of fissile material, thorium can be fully utilized in breeder reactors. This allows it to generate significantly more energy per unit mass of mined mineral compared to natural uranium.

Regarding statement 3, thorium fuel cycles produce significantly less long lived transuranic radioactive waste. Most of the waste generated from thorium reaches safe radioactivity levels much faster than waste generated from uranium based cycles.

Answer

1 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Explanation

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