Is Thorium a Viable Alternative in Nuclear Energy?
Explore if thorium is used in nuclear weapons and its potential in nuclear reactors.
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No, thorium is not used in nuclear weapons. Thorium is an alternative nuclear fuel being researched for reactor use due to its potential safety and waste disposal benefits. However, it is not suitable for creating nuclear weapons because it doesn't easily undergo the necessary reactions to produce explosive energy.
FAQs & Answers
- What is thorium used for? Thorium is primarily researched as an alternative nuclear fuel for reactors due to its safety and waste disposal benefits.
- Can thorium be converted into weapons-grade material? No, thorium does not easily undergo reactions needed to create weapons-grade nuclear material.
- What are the advantages of using thorium over uranium? Thorium offers potential safety benefits, reduced nuclear waste, and is more abundant than uranium.
- Is thorium more sustainable than traditional nuclear fuels? Yes, thorium is considered more sustainable due to its abundance and lower long-term waste problems.