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How does the role of the moderater work in nuclear power plants?
The moderator in a nuclear reactor slows (moderates) the neutrons that are released during fission, so that they can subsequently cause fission in other atoms. When the neutrons are initially released, they tend to have too much energy, which impacts their ability to cause subsequent fission.
What is it called when neutrons released from a fission event cause other fission events in a continued self sustaining cascade?
This process is called a nuclear chain reaction. Neutrons released from one fission event trigger other fission events, creating a self-sustaining reaction that releases energy and more neutrons, continuing the chain reaction.
Nuclear fuels are bombared by what particles to induce their fission?
Nuclear fuels are bombarded by neutrons to induce their fission reaction. Neutrons are able to penetrate the nucleus of the fuel atoms and cause them to split, releasing energy and more neutrons in the process. This chain reaction is the basis for nuclear power generation.
What causes the atom's nucleus to split?
- for spontaneous fission the cause is an inconvenient ratio between neutrons and protons- bombardment of the nucleus with particles, especially neutrons
How do control rods in a nuclear reactor regulate the rate of nuclear fission?
Control rods in a nuclear reactor regulate the rate of nuclear fission by absorbing neutrons, which are needed to sustain the fission process. By adjusting the position of the control rods, operators can control the number of neutrons available to cause fission reactions, thus regulating the overall power output of the reactor.
What is neutron moderation used to counteract against?
Neutron moderation is used to counteract against the high speed (fast) neutrons produced during nuclear fission. By slowing down the neutrons through moderation, they are more likely to cause further fission reactions in nuclear reactors, sustaining the chain reaction.
Uranium 235 can be split if its hit by what?
Uranium-235 can be split if it is hit by a neutron, which can induce a fission reaction. This process releases energy and more neutrons, which can then go on to split other uranium atoms in a chain reaction.
What process takes place when uranium -235 splits into two smaller nuclei plus neutrons?
The process is called nuclear fission. When uranium-235 splits, it releases a large amount of energy along with smaller nuclei and multiple neutrons. This chain reaction continues as these neutrons can cause additional uranium-235 atoms to undergo fission.
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 do you mean when you say the fission needs to be self-sustaining?
What you look for in a NPP is a self-sustaining chain reaction, where the original fission releases enough neutrons to cause the rest of the fuel to undergo fission without continuously having to bombard it with more neutrons. But, you don't want the reaction to be uncontrolled - to happen too fast to be able to harness the energy. That is what happens with atomic bombs.
The process is which each split atom gives up neutrons which in turn split other atoms and so on is called?
This is a nuclear fission chain reaction. An atom of fissile material spontaneously splits (fissions), and neutrons released in this fission event initiate other fission events. Still more neutrons are released, and they cause more fissions, and a chair reaction is under way.a nuclear reactionit is called a chain reaction.chain reaction
What is the moderator in nuclear power plants?
The moderator in a nuclear power plant is the substance that is used to slow down neutrons that are generated by the fission reactions. When fissile material fissions, fission fragments appear, as do neutrons. These neutrons, which leave the fission reaction with a heap of kinetic energy, might go on to cause more fissions (in a chain reactions) if they can be thermalized (slowed). Slowing (moderating) the neutrons increases the probability that they will be absorbed to cause another fission.Depending on the plant design, a few common ones now are:waterheavy watergraphitenone (in fast breeder reactors)
