Which one of the following isotopes of Uranium is used as fissile material in nuclear thermal power plants?

Correct option is B

Uranium-235$$(235U^{235}U235U)$$​ is a naturally occurring isotope of uranium that is used as a primary fissile material in nuclear reactors and weapons. It is capable of sustaining a nuclear chain reaction, as it readily undergoes fission when struck by thermal neutrons. $$235U^{235}U235U$$​ constitutes about 0.72% of natural uranium and is often enriched to higher concentrations for use in nuclear reactors. Its unique ability to maintain a chain reaction makes it critical for power generation.
Information Booster · Fissile Material: A fissile material is capable of sustaining a nuclear fission chain reaction. $$235U^{235}U235U$$​ is one such material due to its ability to easily capture thermal neutrons and split to release energy.
· Nuclear Reactors: In reactors, $$235U^{235}U235U$$​ is enriched to enhance the probability of sustaining a chain reaction, with enrichment levels varying between 3-5% for commercial power reactors.
· Applications: Beyond power plants, $$235U^{235}U235U$$​is used in naval propulsion reactors and nuclear weapons.
Additional Knowledge · U234: Found in trace amounts in natural uranium, it is not fissile but contributes to radioactivity.
· U238: While not fissile, it is fertile, meaning it can be converted into fissile $$239Pu^{239}Pu239Pu$$​ (Plutonium-239) through neutron absorption.
· U239: This is a short-lived isotope formed when $$238U^{238}U238U$$​captures a neutron, decaying into $$239Pu^{239}Pu239Pu$$​, a fissile material.