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Q: Devices that absorb neutrons and are used to control the speed of a fission reactor are called .?
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What is the purpose of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

A nuclear reactor requires the neutrons released from one reaction to trigger the fission of other nuclei. Control rods are required to absorb some of these neutrons so as to prevent a runaway chain reaction.


What is the function of the control rods in a nuclear reactor?

They are used in nuclear reactor to control the rate of fission of uranium and plutonium. Because these elements have different capture cross sections for neutrons of varying energies, the compositions of the control rods must be designed for the neutron spectrum of the reactor it is supposed to control.


What are the functions of the moderator and the control rods in a fission reactor?

Moderator: slows fast fission neutrons (several MeV energy) to slow "thermal" neutrons ( <5eV energy), making it less likely for Uranium-238 to capture them and more likely for them to cause fission of Uranium-235. Breeder reactors don't use moderator. Control rods: absorb excess neutrons to allow the operating reactor to be kept EXACTLY critical and under control. They are equivalent to the accelerator & brake in a car. SCRAM rods: absorb neutrons for emergency shutdown. They are equivalent to emergency brake in a car. Did I answer more than you asked?


How is the rate of the fission in a nuclear reactor controlled?

By the control rods and by the moderator.


What does lower control rods result in?

We lower control rods to cool or shut down a nuclear reactor. Lowering control rods allows those rods to absorb more neutrons, and this limits or shuts the fission chain down.

Related questions

In a nuclear power plant fission reactions are controlled by inserting what?

In a fission reactor, control is implemented by inserting control rods into the reactor. These are made of a material that absorbs neutrons, and prevents a reaction from taking place.


What is the purpose of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

A nuclear reactor requires the neutrons released from one reaction to trigger the fission of other nuclei. Control rods are required to absorb some of these neutrons so as to prevent a runaway chain reaction.


What is the purpose of boron in nuclear reactors?

Boron is used inside a nuclear reactor inside a control rod which is used to 'soak' up the neutrons inside the nuclear reactor, a control rod can be used to control the rate of fission inside a nuclear reactor.


What is the function of the control rods in a nuclear reactor?

They are used in nuclear reactor to control the rate of fission of uranium and plutonium. Because these elements have different capture cross sections for neutrons of varying energies, the compositions of the control rods must be designed for the neutron spectrum of the reactor it is supposed to control.


What is possibly happen to neutrons produce in a fission reactor?

The neutrons produced by fission in a nuclear fission reactor during the process of thermalization to be available for a new generation of fission could be subject to:absorption in fuelabsorption in non fuel reactor components (moderator, clad, structural material, ...)fast leakageresonance capture in U-238fast fission in U-238thermal leakage


What is the function of a control rods reactor?

Control rods are used in a reactor to control the rate at which fission happens.


The cadmium in the control rods slows down a nuclear fission reaction by absorbing neutrons true or false?

True. Cadmium (and boron plus some other elements) absorbs neutrons, thus limiting or slowing the fission chain in a nuclear reactor.


What are the functions of the moderator and the control rods in a fission reactor?

Moderator: slows fast fission neutrons (several MeV energy) to slow "thermal" neutrons ( <5eV energy), making it less likely for Uranium-238 to capture them and more likely for them to cause fission of Uranium-235. Breeder reactors don't use moderator. Control rods: absorb excess neutrons to allow the operating reactor to be kept EXACTLY critical and under control. They are equivalent to the accelerator & brake in a car. SCRAM rods: absorb neutrons for emergency shutdown. They are equivalent to emergency brake in a car. Did I answer more than you asked?


What are the basic feartures of a fission reactor?

The fission reactor is composed of:Nuclear fuel,reactor coolants,neutron moderator (optional)control elementsshieldingmeasurement instrumentssupporting structures... etc


What is the function of the control rods in a nuclear reactors?

They are used in nuclear reactor to control the rate of fission of uranium and plutonium. Because these elements have different capture cross sections for neutrons of varying energies, the compositions of the control rods must be designed for the neutron spectrum of the reactor it is supposed to control.


Does a chain reaction involve fission?

Yes, a chain reaction is all fission, just out-of-control fission. Usually, fission creates 2 neutrons per decay, but it is controlled by the fact that lots of neutrons get absorbed by U-238, which doesn't fission, unlike U-235, which does, and by the control rods, which also absorb lots of neutrons. But if these fail to contain the outbreak of neutrons, and the fail safes (which usually just drop the control rods totally into the reactor, stopping any chain reaction) fail, then an exponentially accelerating chain fission reaction can start, and once it starts, it's pretty much impossible to stop.


What is the purpose of the cadmium rods in a nuclear fission reactor?

Cadmium is a very strong absorber of neutrons and therefore can be used to control the chain reaction and to shutdown the reactor when required. Boron is also often used for the same purpose.