Figure 14.32 Radioactive spent-fuel pool at a nuclear power plant. Spent fuel stays hot for a long time. (credit: U.S. Department of Energy)

College Physics
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168000
Author:Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
Publisher:Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
Chapter31: Radioactivity And Nuclear Physics
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 9CQ: Often, when people have to work around radioactive materials spills, we see them wearing white...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

Even when shut down after a period of normal use, a large commercial nuclear reactor transfers thermal energy at the rate of 150 MW by the radioactive decay of fission products. This heat transfer causes a rapid increase in temperature if the cooling system fails.
(1 watt = 1 joule/second or 1 W = 1 J/s and 1 MW = 1 megawatt)
(a) Calculate the rate of temperature increase in degrees
Celsius per second (ºC/s) if the mass of the reactor core is 1.60×105 kg and it has an average specific heat of 0.3349 kJ/kgº ⋅ C .                                      (b) How long would it take to obtain a temperature increase of 2000ºC , which could cause some metals holding the radioactive materials to melt? (The initial rate of temperature increase would be greater than that
calculated here because the heat transfer is concentrated in a smaller mass. Later, however, the temperature increase would slow down because the 5×105-kg steel containment vessel would also begin to heat up.)

Figure 14.32 Radioactive spent-fuel pool at a nuclear power plant.
Spent fuel stays hot for a long time. (credit: U.S. Department of Energy)
Transcribed Image Text:Figure 14.32 Radioactive spent-fuel pool at a nuclear power plant. Spent fuel stays hot for a long time. (credit: U.S. Department of Energy)
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps with 4 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Energy transfer
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168000
Author:
Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
Publisher:
OpenStax College
An Introduction to Physical Science
An Introduction to Physical Science
Physics
ISBN:
9781305079137
Author:
James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar Torres
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Inquiry into Physics
Inquiry into Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781337515863
Author:
Ostdiek
Publisher:
Cengage
Modern Physics
Modern Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781111794378
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:
9781133104261
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics Volume 3
University Physics Volume 3
Physics
ISBN:
9781938168185
Author:
William Moebs, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:
OpenStax