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How many years would it take for the radioactive waste products of a light water nuclear reactor to, practically, lose their deadly radiation?
  • a)
    5 years
  • b)
    50 years
  • c)
    700 years
  • d)
    1 million years
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
How many years would it take for the radioactive waste products of a l...


Decay of Radioactive Waste in a Light Water Nuclear Reactor

Radioactive waste products from a light water nuclear reactor can remain deadly for a significant amount of time due to their long half-lives. The process through which these waste products lose their deadly radiation is known as radioactive decay.

Factors Affecting Decay Time

- The type of radioactive isotopes present in the waste
- The half-life of these isotopes

Radioactive Isotopes in Light Water Reactor Waste

- Common isotopes include cesium-137 and strontium-90
- Both have long half-lives contributing to the longevity of the radiation

Half-Life of Radioactive Isotopes

- Cesium-137 has a half-life of about 30 years
- Strontium-90 has a half-life of about 28 years

Practical Decay of Radioactive Waste

- To practically lose their deadly radiation, radioactive waste products from a light water nuclear reactor may take up to hundreds of years.
- In this case, it would take approximately 700 years for the radioactive waste to reach safe levels of radiation.

Therefore, option c) 700 years is the correct answer as it aligns with the time needed for the decay of radioactive waste from a light water nuclear reactor to become less harmful.
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How many years would it take for the radioactive waste products of a l...
C is the correct option.All toxic waste need to be dealt with safely, not just radioactive waste. The radioactivity of nuclear waste naturally decays, and has a finite radiotoxic lifetime. Within a period of 1,000-10,000 years, the radioactivity of HLW decays to that of the originally mined ore.
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How many years would it take for the radioactive waste products of a light water nuclear reactor to, practically, lose their deadly radiation?a)5 yearsb)50 yearsc)700 yearsd)1 million yearsCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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