Question

uranium decays over time as each of its atoms splits into smaller particles which then divide further. in a nuclear power plant, engineers trigger chain reactions in uranium to make it decay much faster than in nature. in 1956, japanese - american chemist paul kuroda theorized that such chain reactions could occur in nature. his theory was ignored until 1972, when french scientists discovered uranium ore in gabon, africa that had decayed at an unusually rapid rate. this discovery confirmed kurodas theory, gaining him respect as a trailblazer in his field.
according to the text, what is true about uranium?
a uranium can experience chain reactions both in power plants and in nature.
b uranium produces more energy in nature than in power plants, but more slowly.
c uranium in gabon, africa, is more likely to decay quickly than in other parts of the world.
d uranium in nature typically takes at least sixteen years to decay.

Explanation:

• Option A: The text says engineers trigger chain reactions in uranium in power plants to make it decay faster than in nature, so chain reactions in power plants are artificial to speed decay, not that uranium experiences chain reactions both in power plants and nature in the same way. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The text has no comparison of energy production between uranium in nature and in power plants. Eliminate B.
• Option C: The text states French scientists discovered uranium ore in Gabon that decayed at an unusually rapid rate, implying it's more likely to decay quickly there than other parts. This matches.
• Option D: The text doesn't give a specific time like at least sixteen years for uranium in nature to decay. Eliminate D.

Answer:

C. Uranium in Gabon, Africa, is more likely to decay quickly than in other parts of the world.