General Awareness: Energy Conservation quiz

1. Nuclear power plants produce energy through:

a) induced fission
b) induced fusion
c) beta decay

The correct answer is a) induced fission

2. Uranium-235 splits when _______ hits its nucleus:

a) a proton
b) a neutron
c) an electron

The correct answer is b) a neutron

3. Uranium is a fairly common element on Earth, but it was originally formed:

a) on the moon
b) in stars
c) on asteroids

The correct answer is b) in stars

4. Fission produces lots of energy because:

a) Some of the subatomic particles disintegrate, releasing lots of energy.
b) The fission products and neutrons have more mass than the original atom.
c) The fission products and neutrons have less mass than the original atom

The correct answer is c) The fission products and neutrons have less mass than the original atom

5. The ideal shape for the uranium-235 sample used in a nuclear reactor is:

a) a sphere
b) a pyramid
c) a sheet

The correct answer is c) a sheet

6. The main difference between a nuclear plant and an oil- or coal-fired plant is:

a) the size of the generator
b) the shape of the generator
c) the fuel

The correct answer is c) The fuel

7. To prevent overheating, control rods:

a) move extra uranium out of the way
b) absorb excess neutrons
c) create a barrier between different parts of the fuel

The correct answer is b) absorb excess neutrons

8. What are some of the difficulties with nuclear power?

a) dealing with spent fuel, which is toxic
b) transporting fuel to the power plant
c) both A and B

The correct answer is c) both A and B