Nuclear Technology

Heavy water is employed in nuclear reactors as a neutron moderator , slowing down neutron production and bringing stability to the fission reaction .

Thorium fuel generates no new bomb-usable material in the waste profile; the waste consists of the radioisotope Uranium-233, or U233, which is virtually impossible to weaponize. Thorium fuel will generate more energy per unit of mass than uranium fuel by a factor of approximately 30. Thorium is four times more abundant in nature than uranium and is widely distributed throughout the Earth's crust. All the statements in this question are correct.

India is a key participant in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), a global nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject. ITER is set to become the world's largest magnetic confinement plasma physics experiment, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale, sustainable energy source.  India's involvement in ITER provides technological expertise, research collaboration, and industrial capabilities, which can significantly contribute to its future efforts in developing nuclear fusion reactors for commercial power generation. By participating in this international project, India gains access to cutting-edge advancements in fusion technology, potentially paving the way for its own fusion-based energy infrastructure. Hence, the correct answer is option D.

* **Statement 1: Incorrect.** RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) are not miniature fission reactors. Fission reactors use nuclear fission, a process of splitting atoms to release a tremendous amount of energy. RTGs, on the other hand, utilize the natural radioactive decay of isotopes to generate heat, which is then converted to electricity through a process called thermoelectricity. * **Statement 2: Correct.** RTGs are indeed a reliable power source for spacecraft, especially those venturing far from the sun where solar panels become ineffective. They provide consistent, low-level electric power for extended periods, making them ideal for probes, satellites, and rovers in deep space. * **Statement 3: Correct.** Plutonium-238 is a common isotope used in RTGs due to its long half-life (the time it takes for half of the material to decay) and its ability to generate a steady heat output from its decay process. While it can be a byproduct of weapons development, there are also alternative ways to produce Plutonium-238 specifically for peaceful applications like RTGs.