UPSC Prelims 2016 Q79: Science & Technology – Energy & Environment
India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If
this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?
- (a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation.
- (b) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation.
- (c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation.
- (d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation.
Answer: (d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation.
Explanation
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)
ITER is being built at Cadarache, France.
It aims to prove that nuclear fusion can produce energy on a large scale.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Members | European Union, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, United States |
| Machine | A tokamak: hot plasma held by magnets |
| Fuel | Deuterium and tritium (isotopes of hydrogen) |
| India | Joined in 2005; supplied the cryostat |
Fusion and fission compared:
| Feature | Fusion | Fission |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Light nuclei join | Heavy nucleus splits |
| Fuel | Hydrogen isotopes | Uranium, plutonium |
| Long-lived waste | Very little | Much |
Success would let India build fusion reactors; it has nothing to do with thorium, satellite navigation or fission efficiency.
Answer: (d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Using thorium in place of uranium is India's fission programme, not ITER.
- (b) Incorrect. Satellite navigation is unrelated to a fusion experiment.
- (c) Incorrect. ITER does not improve the efficiency of fission reactors.
- (d) CORRECT. If ITER succeeds, India can build fusion reactors for power generation.
Key point
ITER (Cadarache, France): seven-member tokamak fusion experiment using deuterium and tritium; India joined in 2005 and built the cryostat.
Remember
ITER = fusion experiment in France; India is a member.
Common mistakes
- Confusing fusion (ITER) with India's three-stage fission programme based on thorium.
- Thinking ITER will itself supply electricity; it is an experiment.
- Forgetting that 'thermonuclear' means fusion.
Exam tip
Thermonuclear = fusion. The answer must mention fusion.
Sources
- ITER Organization — What is ITER?
- Institute for Plasma Research — ITER-India