9) The storage of radioactive waste is an important problem in the nuclear indus

Question

9) The storage of radioactive waste is an important problem in the nuclear industry. One problem that scientists must take into account is volumetric expansion. Consider a 40.0-gallon metal canister of diameter 22.0 inches filled with a radioactive waste possessing a coefficient of volume expansion of 9.60 × 10-4 (°C)–1. This canister will be filled at room temperature (23.0°C) and lowered deep into the Earth (where temperatures can reach 125°C) for storage. If the coefficient of volume expansion of the metal is 4.10 × 10-5 (°C)–1, how much waste will spill over the top if the lid becomes loose?

Explanation / Answer

Here ,

volume of metal canister , V = 40 gallon

coefficient of volume expansion of meterial , aR = 9.1 *10^-4 1/degree C

coefficient of metal , aM = 4.1 *10^-5 1/degree C

change in temperature , del T = 125 degree C - 23 degree C

del T = 102 degree C

waste spilled over the lid = V * del T * (aR- aM)

waste spilled over the lid = 40 * 102 * (9.1 *10^-4 - 4.1 *10^-5)

waste spilled over the lid = 3.54 gallon

the waste spilled over the lid is 3.54 gallon

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 9
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.