Question

Choose the correct option/s. A thermonuclear fusion reactor is better than a fission reactor for the following reasons:

• A. For the same mass of substances involved, a fusion reaction releases much more energy than a fission.
• B. A fusion reaction can be much more easily controlled than a fission reaction.
• C. A fusion reaction produces almost no radioactive waste.
• D. The fuel required for fusion is readily available in abundance in seawater.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C), (D)

The fuel required for fusion is readily available in abundance in seawater.

For the same mass of substances involved, a fusion reaction releases much more energy than a fission. So, option $\left(A\right)$ is correct.

The initiation mechanism is complex for fusion reactor and also huge amount of energy is required to initiate the fusion reaction.

Also, the energy released in the fusion reaction is much greater than the fission reaction for a given mass of the fuel.

Thus, the fission reactors are easily controllable than the fusion reactors.

For the same mass of substances involved, a fusion reaction releases much more energy than a fission.

Hence, statement $\left(B\right)$ is an incorrect statement.

Fusion reaction produces almost no radioactive waste, and the fuel required for fusion is readily available in abundance in seawater.

Thus, options $\left(C\right)$ and $\left(D\right)$ are also correct.

Why this question? It is a reasoning type question to understand the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion process.