UPSC Setu Logo
Science & Technology2012
To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?
  1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium.
  2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral,
  3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to
uranium. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation

The correct option is 1, 2, and 3, as all three statements highlight significant advantages of thorium over uranium in nuclear energy production. Firstly, thorium is indeed more abundant in the Earth's crust, making it a more readily available resource for long-term energy strategies. Secondly, thorium-232 can generate more energy on a per unit mass basis when compared to natural uranium, especially when it is converted into fissile uranium-233 through nuclear reactions. Lastly, the waste produced by thorium reactors typically contains fewer long-lived isotopes, resulting in less harmful radioactive waste compared to that from uranium reactors. Together, these advantages position thorium as a potentially safer and more sustainable option for meeting India's future energy needs, aligning with the goals of clean energy production.

New here?