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Which mechanism dominates heat generation in spent nuclear fuel rods shortly after removal?

A)Beta decay of fission products
B)Neutron activation of steel cladding
C)Fission chain reactions restarting
D)Alpha decay of transuranic elements

💡 Explanation

Beta decay is the primary heat source because it releases energy from unstable fission fragments during transmutation. Therefore, beta decay initially dominates, rather than alpha decay that has much longer half-lives and lower emissions relative to overall processes after reactor shutdown.

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