Correct option is B
Statement 1 is incorrect.
RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) are not miniature fission reactors. Instead of using a fission reaction, RTGs generate electricity from the heat released by the natural radioactive decay of a radioisotope, typically Plutonium-238. In a fission reactor, energy is produced by splitting heavy atomic nuclei, whereas in an RTG, energy is produced by the decay of radioisotopes. The heat generated from this decay is converted into electricity using thermocouples, which rely on the Seebeck effect (where a temperature difference between two different conductors or semiconductors generates a voltage).
Statement 2 is correct.
RTGs are commonly used to power spacecraft, especially those that travel to distant regions of the solar system where sunlight is too weak to effectively power solar panels. RTGs have been used in many space missions, including the Voyager, Pioneer, and New Horizons missions, as well as the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers. They provide a reliable and long-lasting power source, which is critical for deep-space missions.
Statement 3 is correct.
Plutonium-238 is indeed used as a fuel in RTGs. While it is related to nuclear materials used in weapons, Plutonium-238 is a specific isotope that is particularly well-suited for RTGs due to its relatively long half-life (approximately 88 years) and the significant amount of heat it generates during its decay. It is a by-product of nuclear reactions, including those involved in weapons development and the production of nuclear fuel.
