Physics 12: Homework #7: due May 31


This assignment is short due to the Memorial Day holiday on May 27; we will not begin the next topic (climate change) until Wed., May 29.

Hints for Q&P 6.9: Use the result from Q&P 6.1 (last week's assignment) for uranium: 8×1013 J/kg of pure 235U. For coal, use 6 kcal/g as the energy content.

  1. Despite proliferation concerns, what is the main reason that would compel us to move toward plutonium breeder reactors?

  2. What naturally occurring isotope (use full notation) is is made to be useful in generating nuclear energy by the process of plutonium breeding? How is it that the otherwise useless nucleus is transformed into fissile plutonium?

  3. What is the root reason why ultra-high temperatures are required to produce fusion reactions?

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