To determine which type of reaction occurs in the core of a nuclear reactor in a nuclear power plant, we need to examine and identify each given reaction. Let’s analyze them step-by-step:
1. Reaction 1:
[tex]\[ \text{HCl} + \text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{NaCl} \][/tex]
- This is a classic example of an acid-base neutralization reaction where hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form water (H₂O) and sodium chloride (NaCl).
2. Reaction 2:
[tex]\[ { }_{22}^{258} \text{U} +{ }_0^1 \text{n} \rightarrow{ }_{29}^{10} \text{Sr} +{ }_{54}^{10} \text{Xe} + 33_{0}^{1} \text{n} \][/tex]
- This reaction involves uranium (U) absorbing a neutron (n) and splitting into strontium (Sr), xenon (Xe), and releasing additional neutrons. This process is typical of nuclear fission, where a heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei along with the release of energy.
3. Reaction 3:
[tex]\[ { }_{30}^{20} \text{Sr} +{ }_{54}^{150} \text{Xe} + 33_{0}^{1} \text{n} \rightarrow{ }_{82}^{225} \text{U} _{+}{ }_0^1 \text{n} \][/tex]
- This reaction describes an unusual scenario where strontium (Sr) and xenon (Xe) nuclei, along with neutrons, merge to form uranium (U). This type of reaction does not typically occur in common nuclear reactions in power plants.
4. Reaction 4:
[tex]\[ C_{10} \text{H}_3 + 12 \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 10 \text{CO}_2 + 4 \text{H}_2 \text{O} \][/tex]
- This reaction represents a combustion reaction where a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).
Among these reactions, the type that typically occurs in the core of a nuclear reactor in a nuclear power plant is the second reaction:
[tex]\[ { }_{22}^{258} \text{U} +{ }_0^1 \text{n} \rightarrow{ }_{29}^{10} \text{Sr} +{ }_{54}^{10} \text{Xe} + 33_{0}^{1} \text{n} \][/tex]
This reaction is known as nuclear fission. In a nuclear reactor, heavy atomic nuclei, typically uranium-235 or plutonium-239, absorb neutrons, become unstable, and split into smaller nuclei, releasing a tremendous amount of energy along with additional neutrons that can continue the chain reaction.
Hence, the type of reaction occurring in the core of a nuclear reactor in a nuclear power plant is:
Nuclear fission.
