Power Systems Questions and Answers – Introduction of Nuclear Power Plant

This set of Power Systems Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Introduction of
Nuclear Power Plant”.

1. The best capable alternative source which can meet the future energy demand is _____________
a) thermal power plant
b) nuclear power plant
c) hydroelectric power plant
d) geothermal power plant
Answer: b
Explanation: Demand of electrical energy is increasing at fast rate owing to booming increase in the
population and industrial growth. The reserves of fossil fuel i.e., coal, oil and gas are fast depleting.
There are many alternative sources of energy but they are not enough to supply such huge demand,
only nuclear power plants are capable of doing that.

2. How much coal is required to generate energy equivalent to the energy generated by 1 kg of
uranium?
a) 30000 tonnes of high grade coal
b) 300 tonnes of high grade coal
c) 10000 tonnes of high grade coal
d) 3000 tonnes of high grade coal
Answer: d
Explanation: One of the main attention for nuclear fuel is the huge amount of energy that can be
released from a small quantity of active nuclear fuel. The energy obtainable by completely using 1 kg
of Uranium would give energy equivalent 3000 tons of high grade coal i.e. Uranium has three
millions times the energy of coal.

3. Nuclear fuel in reactor lasts for ________________

a) more than 5 months
b) few weeks
c) few days
d) more than 5 years
Answer: d
Explanation: Very small amount of nuclear fuel can produce very high amount of energy. Nuclear
fuel may remain in a reactor for more than 5 years.

4. Cost of nuclear fuel in nuclear power plant economics is considered as __________

a) running cost
b) maintenance cost
c) capital cost
d) development cost
Answer: c
Explanation: Nuclear fuel in a nuclear reactor may remain for more than 5 years. So the cost of fuel
injected initially is taken as capital cost and may be a few crore rupees.

5. In economics of nuclear power plant taxes and insurance charges are taken as _______
a) operating cost
b) maintenance cost
c) capital cost
d) fixed cost
Answer: d
Explanation: The life of reactor plant may be taken as between 15 to 20 years. For the other parts of
the plant equipment the life may be taken as 30 years. The fixed cost would be interest,
depreciation, taxes and insurance charges.
6. Which of the following are not taken as operation and maintenance cost in economics of nuclear
power plant?
a) Taxes and insurance
b) Salaries and wages of staff
c) Cost of waste disposal
d) Cost of processing materials
Answer: a
Explanation: Taxes and insurance are taken as fixed costs. Salaries and wages of operation and
maintenance staff, cost of waste disposal and cost of processing materials are the operation and
maintenance cost.

7. What is the overall efficiency of nuclear power plant?

a) 20 to 25%
b) 25 to 30%
c) 30 to 40 %
d) 50 to 70 %
Answer: c
Explanation: The overall efficiency of a nuclear power plant is around 30 to 40%. Efficiency is higher
at high road factors. Therefore, a nuclear power plant is always operated as a base load plant.

8. The land area required for installation of nuclear power plant is ________
a) more than thermal power plant
b) less than thermal power plant
c) equel to thermal power plant
d) depends on type of construction
Answer: c
Explanation: Nuclear power plants need less area as compared to any other plant of same
generation capacity. A 2000MW nuclear power plant needs about 80 acres whereas the coal fired
steam power plant of same generation capacity needs 250 acres of land.

9. All of the nuclear fuel reserve will be ended in about 400 years.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Explanation: There are larger deposits of nuclear fuel available all over the world. Therefore, such
plants can ensure continued supply of electrical energy for thousands of years.

10. With respect to the load centre which location is suitable for stablishment of nuclear power
plant?
a) Load centre
b) Near load centre but at reasonable distance
c) Far away from load centre
d) Near chemical industries
Answer: b
Explanation: These plants can be located near the load centre because of the negligible cost of
transportation of fuel. But there should be a reasonable distance between the nuclear power plant
and the nearest populated areas from point of view of safety against danger of radioactivity. It is
highly undesirable to choose a site adjacent to chemical industries oil refineries PWD works hospitals
and schools.

11. Operating cost of nuclear power plant is less than thermal power plant.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Explanation: Cost of fuel in nuclear power plant is taken as the capital cost. The the total operating
cost involves wages and the salaries of operating and maintenance staff only, cost of disposal of
waste etc.. The cost of transport and handling of coal for conventional thermal power plant is much
higher than the cost of nuclear fuel.

Power Systems Questions and Answers – Nuclear Reaction

This set of Power Systems Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Nuclear
Reaction”.

1. In nuclear power stations which nuclear reaction is performed?

a) Nuclear fission
b) Nuclear fusion
c) 90% fission and 10% fusion
d) 90% fusion and 10% fission
Answer: a
Explanation: Nuclear fission is the process in which heavy nucleus is split when it is bombarded by
certain partials. Huge amount of energy is released during nuclfclear fission in form of heat and
radiation.

2. Which particle is bombarded on heavy nucleus of nuclear fuel?

a) Electron
b) Proton
c) Neutron
d) Photon
Answer: c
Explanation: Nuclear fission involvs bombardment of certain particles on heavy nucleus causing it to
split. All modern fission reactors uses neutron particles for this purpose because they are neutral in
charge and so, they can make their way through the shells of electrons and then through the nucleus
at low energy.

3. The critical mass for U235 fission reaction is about _____________

a) 100Kg
b) 200 Kg
C) 50 kg
d) 10 kg
Answer: d
Explanation: For a chain reaction to occur the sample of the fissionable material should be large
enough to capture the neutron internally. The minimum mass of fissionable material required to
sustain a chain reaction is called the Critical Mass”. The critical mass varies for each reaction, for
U235 fission reaction it is about 10 Kg.

4. The fuel mainly used in nuclear fission reactors are:

a) U235
b) U239
c) U233
d) U238
Answer: a
Explanation: The materials U235,U233 and Pu239 are called fissionable materials. From all the above
mentioned fuels only U235 will fission in chain reaction.

5. Which fissionable nuclear fuel occur in nature?

a) Plutonium
b) Thorium
c) Uranium
d) 94239 Pu
Answer: c
Explanation: The only natural fissionable fuel occurring in our nature is Uranium, of which 99.3% is
U238 and 0.7% is U235 and U234 is only a trace. Out of these isotopes only U235 will fission in chain
reaction.

6. Which of the following has high fission percentage?

a) Pu239
b) U233
c) U235
d) U234
Answer: c
Explanation: U235 has higher fission percentage in comparison to others. U235 is only fissionable
nuclear fuel found in nature, Pu239 and U233 are produced artificially. They are fissionable.

7. Reactors used for converting fertile materials to fissile materials are called _____
a) research and development reactor
b) production reactor
c) power reactors
d) slow reactors
Answer: b
Explanation: Research and development reactors are used for testing new reactor designs and
research. Production reactors are used for converting fertile materials into fissile materials and
Power reactors are used for generation of electrical energy.

8. Which statement about fast reactor is true?

a) These reactors are big in size so not easier to shield
b) Fast reactors can convert fertile materials to fissile materials
c) Fast reactors are easy to control
d) Heat transfer and cooling is very easy and simple
Answer: b
Explanation: Fast reactors can convert more fertile material to fissile materials with the result that
the net fuel consumption for such reactors is much less. These reactors are small and compact and
so easier to shield. Heat transfer and cooling problems in the core are accomplished due to high
power density.

Power Systems Questions and Answers – Nuclear Reactor Main Parts and their Functions

This set of Power Systems Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Nuclear
Reactor Main Parts and their Functions”.

1. In which part of nuclear power plant steam is produced?

a) Boiler
b) Heat exchanger
c) Chamber across the reactor
d) Air preheater
Answer: b
Explanation: There is no boiler in nuclear power plant. The heat energy released in the reactor
during nuclear fission is utilised to heat the coolant. This coolant is circulated through the heat
exchanger to produce steam.

2. What is the main function of moderator?

a) It absorb the extra neutrons
b) It divert extra neutrons
c) It slow down the speed of fast neutrons
d) It absorb the heat energy caused by nuclear reaction
Answer: d
Explanation: Neutrons rejected during the fission process at a very high velocity of about 1.5 × 107
m/s. For more effective use in nuclear reactor it is desirable to slow down the fast neutrons to speed
corresponding to the speed of molecules of gas at normal temperature and pressure. This is
accomplished with the help of moderator.

3. Which of the following material is not used as moderator?

a) Oxygen
b) Ordinary water
c) Heavy water
d) Graphite
Answer: a
Explanation: At present the common moderator materials used are graphite, ordinary water and
heavy water. Oxygen is not suitable to use due to its low density and the consequent small number
of collision.

4. Which of the following part of nuclear reactor is used to control the rate of reaction.
a) Moderator
b) Control rods
c) Reflector
d) Coolant
Answer: b
Explanation: In a reactor the chain reaction is to be maintained at steady value during the operation
of reactor. Also the reactor must be able to shutdown automatically under emergency conditions. All
these requires control rods for control of reactor so as to prevent the melting of fuel rods,
disintegration of coolant and destruction of reactor as the amount of energy released is enormous.

5. Which of the following is the most essential requirement of control rod material?
a) It must be light weight
b) It must be cheap
c) It must have high absorption capacity for neutrons
d) It must be very reflective to neutrons
Answer: c
Explanation: The function of control rod is to control the rate of nuclear reaction by absorption extra
release neutrons. Chain reaction is controlled either by removing or inserting neutron absorbing
materials. The materials used for control rods must have very high absorption capacity for entrance.

6. Which of the following can be used as both as coolant and moderator ?

a) Helium
b) Molten sodium
c) Lithium
d) Ordinary water
Answer: d
Explanation: A good coolant should not absorb neutrons, should be non-oxidizing, non-toxic, non
corrosive, should have high chemical and radiation stability and good heat transfer ability. Ordinary
water is used as both as coolant and moderator in boiling water reactor and pressurized water is
used as both as coolant and moderator in pressurized water reactor.

7. In thermal reactors control is very easy in comparison to other reactors.

a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Explanation: In thermal reactor control his very easy because of relatively low power densities and
longer in neutron lifetime.

8. The main body of reactor is called ____________

a) Thermal shielding
b) Reactor vessel
c) Reflector
d) Biological shielding
Answer: b
Explanation: The reactor core, reflector and thermal shielding are all enclosed in the main body of
reactor and is called reactor vessel or tank. It is strong walled container and provides the entrance
and exit for the coolant. It also provides the passage for flow of coolant through and around the
reactor core.

Power Systems Questions and Answers – Classification of Nuclear Reactors

This set of Power Systems Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Classification of
Nuclear Reactors”.

1. Reactors used for electricity generation are called ______________

a) Research and development reactors
b) Production reactors
c) Power reactors
d) Electron reactors
Answer: c
Explanation: Power reactors are used for electrical power generation purpose. Research and
development reactors are used for testing new reactor design ans research. Production reactors are
used for converting fertile material into fissile materials.

2. What is the difference in size of thermal reactor and fast reactor?

a) Size of thermal reactor is slightly more than size of fast reactor
b) Size of thermal reactor is slightly less than size of fast reactor
c) Size of thermal reactor is very much larger than size of fast reactor
d) Both are of same size
Answer: c
Explanation: The moderator to fuel volume ratio for thermal reactor lies between 20 to 80. Same
ratio for fast reactor is very less that’s why the size of thermal reactor is very much greater than size
of fast reactors.

3. Which of the following reactors does not need moderator?

a) Thermal reactor
b) Fast reactor
c) Intermediate reactor
d) Power reactor
Answer: b
Explanation: In fast reactors fission is caused by fast neutrons, so there is no need of moderator to
slow down the neutrons. While in other reactors fission is needed to be from slow or intermediate
speed neutrons, so moderator is required to slow down the fast neutrons.

4. Heat energy generated in per unit volume of reactor core in thermal reactor is ___________
a) less than that in fast reactors
b) more than that in fast reactors
c) equal to that and fast reactors
d) unpredictable
Answer: a
Explanation: In fast reactors fission occurs due to fast moving neutrons. Hence, the rate of fission
reaction is high and the heat energy generated is also very high. In thermal reactor moderator is
used to slow down the neutrons and to make the fission in much more controlled way. So, heat
generated in thermal reactor is cocomparatively less.

5. In which of the following reactors material converted into fissile materials is more than fissile
material consumed?
a) Burner reactor
b) Slow reactors
c) Converter reactor
d) Breeder reactor
Answer: d
Explanation: Burner reactor or thermal reactor is designed only to consume fissile materials and to
give heat energy. Converter reactor converts fertile material into fissile material but the rate of
conversion is slower than rate of conception. Only breeder reactor from above options is such a
reactor which converts fertile materials into fissile materials faster than consumption of fissile
materials.

6. Which of the following reactors uses its fuel as coolant?

a) Direct reactor
b) Indirect reactor
c) Both direct and indirect reactor
d) Solid fuel reactor
Answer: a
Explanation: On the basis of cooling system employed reactors are of two types. One is Direct and
another is indirect reactor. Direct reactor used as fuel in liquid form and it acts as coolant. It is
circulated through the heat exchanger in which heat is transferred to water to produce steam.

7. Which of the following statement is true?

I. In homogeneous reactors the nuclear fuel and the moderator represents a uniform mixture in the
fluid form.
II. In heterogeneous reactors separate fuel sludge or roads are inserted in the moderator
III. Most of the nuclear reactors used these days are of homogeneous type
a) Only statement I and II are true
b) Only statement I and III are true
c) Only statement II and III are true
d) Only statement III is true
Answer: a
Explanation: The statement I and II are true but statement III is wrong, because most of the reactors
are of heterogeneous type. i.e.fuel is used in them are separate mostly in form of road fuel rod.

8. In which of the following reactor it is possible to add remove and process the reactor fuel during
reactor operation?
a) Homogeneous reactor
b) Heterogeneous reactor
c) Solid fuel reactor
d) Both homogeneous and heterogeneous reactors
Answer: a
Explanation: In homogeneous reactor nuclear fuel and the moderator represent a uniform mixture,
in the fluid form including gases liquids and slurries. Due to fluid form of fuel it is possible in
homogeneous reactor that reactor fuel can be added removed and reprocessed during reactor
operation without shutting in town.

9. In which of the following reactors fissile and fertile materials are kept separate?
a) In one region reactor
b) In two region reactor
c) In one and two region reactor
d) It is impossible to separate them
Answer: b
Explanation: As per arrangement of fertile and fissile materials the reactors are classified into
categories. In first category of reactors fertile and fissile fuels are mixed and are called One Region
Reactor. In second category of reactors a fertile and fissile material are separate and is called to
Region Reactor.
10. Any leakage or component failure in primary nuclear fission reactor coolant system is dangerous.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Explanation: Above statement is true because these failures are very much difficult to repair. It is
because of the presence of fission products in the coolant which can cause contamination.