Which one of the following minerals is used as a fuel in nuclear power

Which one of the following minerals is used as a fuel in nuclear power stations ?

Bauxite
Quartz
Feldspar
Pitchblende
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
The correct answer is D) Pitchblende.
Nuclear power stations use fissile materials, primarily uranium, as fuel for nuclear fission. Pitchblende is a mineral that is a major ore of uranium. Bauxite is the main ore of aluminium. Quartz is a common mineral made of silicon dioxide. Feldspar is a group of rock-forming silicate minerals. Therefore, Pitchblende is the mineral associated with the fuel used in nuclear power stations.
Uranium is extracted and processed from uranium ores like pitchblende (Uraninite) to produce fuel rods for nuclear reactors. The specific isotope used for fission is Uranium-235.
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