79

Question 79

India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

AOptions

A
A) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation
B
B) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation
C
C) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation
D
D) It can build fusion reactors for power generation

BSolution

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a large-scale scientific experiment designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale, carbon-free source of energy. Fusion is the process that powers the sun and stars. If the ITER experiment succeeds in demonstrating sustainable fusion reactions, the immediate and most significant advantage for India, as a member, would be the ability to develop and build its own commercial fusion reactors for power generation. This would offer a new, potentially cleaner and abundant energy source, addressing India's growing energy demands.

Options A, B, and C are not the direct or immediate advantages: thorium use (A) is related to fission technology; satellite navigation (B) is unrelated to nuclear energy; and improving fission reactor efficiency (C) is also not the primary goal of a fusion project.

Diagram for Q79

CStrategy

When encountering questions about major international scientific projects, understand their fundamental objective and the direct, intended application of the research. Distinguish between the core goal and tangential or unrelated outcomes. For scientific advancements, always link the technology to its primary practical benefit.

DSyllabus Analysis

This question falls under Science and Technology, specifically Nuclear Energy and International Scientific Collaborations.

EQuestion Analysis

Medium. Requires understanding the purpose and potential outcome of the ITER project.