To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium

2012

Nuclear Energy Technology, Science and Technology

To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?
1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium.
2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium.
3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)

1 only

(b)

2 and 3 only

(c)

1 and 3 only

(d)

1, 2 and 3

Answer:

(d)

Core Books/NCERT

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Thorium is four times more abundant in nature than uranium and is widely distributed throughout the Earth’s crust. Statement 2 is correct: Thorium fuel generates more energy per unit mass than uranium fuel by a factor of approximately 30. Statement 3 is correct: Thorium produces less harmful waste and is safer compared to uranium.