The Original Reactor Built in 1942 Was Just "Barely" Critical

question 42

Multiple Choice

The original reactor built in 1942 was just "barely" critical because the natural uranium that was used contained less than 1% of the fissionable isotope U-235 (half life 713 million years) .What if,in 1942,the Earth had been 9 billion years old instead of 4.5 billion years old? Would this reactor have reached critical stage with natural uranium? Why?

• A)No.The age of the Earth has nothing to do with the reactor reaching critical stage with U-235.
• B)No.1% of the fissionable isotope U-235 is insufficient for the reactor to reach critical stage no matter what the age of the Earth.
• C)Yes.If the Earth had been twice as old there would have then been twice as much fissionable U-235 present and the reactor would have reached critical stage.
• D)No.The increased age of the Earth would mean that there would be a much smaller percentage of U-235,thus not enough for the reactor to reach critical stage.

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Definitions:

Production Orientation

A business philosophy focusing on the efficiency and effectiveness of the production process, often at the expense of customer needs or desires.

Marketing Concept

A business philosophy suggesting that the key to achieving organizational goals consists of the company being more effective than competitors in creating, delivering, and communicating customer value.

Customer Needs

Refers to the desires and requirements of clients that a company aims to fulfill with its products or services.

Production Orientation

A business approach that focuses on the efficiency of production and distribution processes rather than understanding and meeting the needs of the consumer.