Nuclear Reactor Fuel Depletion
A nuclear power plant is fueled by uranium-235, which has a half-life of 704 million years. Why must the plant’s fuel rods be replaced periodically, despite this extremely long half-life?
A
The uranium-235 spontaneously transforms into fusion fuel
B
The concentration of fissile material decreases below critical levels
C
The half-life accelerates due to the chain reaction
D
Radiation damage to the fuel occurs independently of half-life
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