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Chapter 21: Problem 83

Name two advantages of a nuclear-powered submarine over a conventional submarine.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Two key advantages of nuclear-powered submarines over conventional ones are an extended operational span underwater, bolstering their stealth, and increased speed or operational capability thanks to the high power output of nuclear reactors.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Nuclear Power

Nuclear power has several unique characteristics. Primarily, a nuclear reactor, unlike conventional sources, is capable of producing a significant amount of energy continuously for a long time without needing to be recharged or refuelled.
02

Identifying Benefits in the Context of Submarines

These characteristics of nuclear power bring two main advantages for submarines. First, nuclear submarines can operate underwater for an extended period (several months to years), as they do not need to surface for air or refuelling, staying submerged keeps the submarines inconspicuous and thus increases their stealth. Second, they have greater speed or operational capability because the high energy output of nuclear reactors provides the submarines with a lot more power.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Nuclear waste disposal is one of the major concerns of the nuclear industry. In choosing a safe and stable environment to store nuclear wastes, consideration must be given to the heat released during nuclear decay. As an example, consider the \(\beta\) decay of \({ }^{90} \mathrm{Sr}\) \((89.907738 \mathrm{amu})\) $$ { }_{38}^{90} \mathrm{Sr} \longrightarrow{ }_{39}^{90} \mathrm{Y}+{ }_{-1}^{0} \beta \quad t_{\frac{1}{2}}=28.1 \mathrm{yr} $$ The \({ }^{90} \mathrm{Y}(89.907152 \mathrm{amu})\) further decays as follows: $$ { }_{39}^{90} \mathrm{Y} \longrightarrow{ }_{40}^{90} \mathrm{Zr}+{ }_{-1}^{0} \beta \quad t_{\frac{1}{2}}=64 \mathrm{~h} $$ Zirconium-90 (89.904703 amu) is a stable isotope. (a) Use the mass defect to calculate the energy released (in joules) in each of the preceding two decays. (The mass of the electron is \(5.4857 \times\) \(10^{-4}\) amu. ( b) Starting with 1 mole of \({ }^{90}\) Sr, calculate the number of moles of \(9^{9}\) Sr that will decay in a year. (c) Calculate the amount of heat released (in kilojoules) corresponding to the number of moles of \({ }^{90} \mathrm{Sr}\) decayed to \({ }^{90} \mathrm{Zr}\) in \((\mathrm{b})\)

Each molecule of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrier in blood, contains four Fe atoms. Explain how you would use the radioactive \({ }_{26}^{59} \mathrm{Fe}\left(t_{\frac{1}{2}}=46\right.\) days) to show that the iron in a certain food is converted into hemoglobin.

What is the difference between an electron and a positron?

Write balanced nuclear equations for these reactions and identify \(X:(a){ }_{34}^{80} S e(d, p) X,(b) X(d, 2 p)_{3}^{9} L i,\) (c) \({ }_{5}^{10} \mathrm{~B}(\mathrm{n}, \alpha) \mathrm{X}\).

Cobalt- 60 is an isotope used in diagnostic medicine and cancer treatment. It decays with \(\gamma\) ray emission. Calculate the wavelength of the radiation in nanometers if the energy of the \(\gamma\) ray is \(2.4 \times 10^{-13} \mathrm{~J} / \mathrm{photon}\)
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