Chapter 16, Problem 5RAT

To determine

The correct option for the statement “Coal contains only minute quantities of radioactive materials, yet there is more environmental radiation surrounding a coal-fired power plant than a fission power plant. This indicates that”.

Answer to Problem 5RAT

The correct option for the statement “Coal contains only minute quantities of radioactive materials, yet there is more environmental radiation surrounding a coal-fired power plant than a fission power plant. This indicates that” is option (c).

Explanation of Solution

Coal contains small amounts of radioactive materials like uranium and thorium. The combustion of coal produces the waste product fly ash. This fly ash includes radioactive thorium and uranium at a higher concentration. So, the radioactive radiations are not produced by the reactors in the coal power plant; instead, the wastes produced radiation.

Every power plant has shielding mechanisms to prevent radioactivity outflow. Since coal contains only traces of radioactive materials, the radiation won’t go out of the shielding.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the correct option for the statement “Coal contains only minute quantities of radioactive materials, yet there is more environmental radiation surrounding a coal-fired power plant than a fission power plant. This indicates that” is option (c).