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How do you stop or slow the nuclear reaction in a nuclear power plant?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Once a meltdown occurs at a nuclear power plant, there is no way to stop or slow the reaction. However, Nuclear power plants are the most technologically advanced power plants in the history of man-kind. The meltdowns themselves are incredibly rare, but if they do occur the immediate areas are instantly alerted and evacuated. The contamination of the surrounding area is typically not very quick to begin with, as the walls of structures of Nuclear Power Plants are very thick and designed to withstand nearly anything thrown at them. Of anything that could happen, a meltdown at your area Nuclear Power Plant should be at the very bottom on your list of concerns.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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What is the difference in a nuclear power plant and a nuclear bomb?
A nuclear power plant uses a slow, controlled nuclear chain reaction to heat water and generate electricity. A nuclear bomb uses a very rapid uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction in order to generate a massive explosion.
What is the difference between nuclear reaction in a nuclear pl ant and in a nuclear bomb?
The answer can certainly be more complicated and detailed, but simply- the reaction in a nuclear power point is designed to be a "slow" controlled reaction that can be monitored and "shut down", with a nuclear power point having multiple safeguards. To the contrary, a nuclear weapon's reaction is designed to be the opposite- violent and uncontrollable so that once detonation has begun, the results are catastrophic.
What does nuclear power and nuclear weapons have in common?
They both utilise nuclear fission, in which nuclei of U-235 or Pu-239 are split apart which releases enormous energy. In nuclear power this is done at a comparatively slow controllable rate, in a weapon you want a very rapid reaction to create a huge blast of energy.
What do nuclear power stations use?
Nuclear Power plants use refined uranium or plutonium. Both of these elements are extremely radioactive and unstable. In order to control the explosive reaction (google atomic bombs), they use control rods in the process to slow the reaction rate, keeping it under control. These control rods, along with all clothing, tools, and other items taken into the reaction chamber become nuclear waste. This is one cause for debate against nuclear energy as there are no means of destroying/disposing of these waste products. But that is a different debate.
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)
What is the difference in a nuclear power plant and a nuclear bomb?
A nuclear power plant uses a slow, controlled nuclear chain reaction to heat water and generate electricity. A nuclear bomb uses a very rapid uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction in order to generate a massive explosion.
What is the difference between nuclear reaction in a nuclear pl ant and in a nuclear bomb?
The answer can certainly be more complicated and detailed, but simply- the reaction in a nuclear power point is designed to be a "slow" controlled reaction that can be monitored and "shut down", with a nuclear power point having multiple safeguards. To the contrary, a nuclear weapon's reaction is designed to be the opposite- violent and uncontrollable so that once detonation has begun, the results are catastrophic.
What kind of reactor does the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant have?
Few specifics have been supplied by Matt Groening regarding the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant. The nuclear assembly was cited as a Fissionator 1952 Slow-Fission Reactor, but beyond that, we can only guess. It presents all the appearances of the pressurized water reactor plant with which we are somewhat familiar, as these are the most common types in the US.
What is the difference in nuclear power plants and a nuclear bomb.?
A nuclear power plant is a controlled nuclear pile. Both slow and fast reactors contain radioactive material (uranium or plutonium), and are kept from going supercritical due to moderator (cadmium control rods) and coolant such as sodium or, most commonly, water. Thus, the rate of nuclear reaction can be controlled. However, in a nuclear bomb, the goal is (super)criticality. Two subcritical masses are brought together to form a critical/supercritical mass, or a subcritical mass is brought to criticality by implosion, increasing the density, and no control of the reaction is provided. In this way, a nuclear bomb is allowed to reach critical mass and result in runaway nuclear reaction very quickly...or order to result in nuclear detonation.
What does nuclear power and nuclear weapons have in common?
They both utilise nuclear fission, in which nuclei of U-235 or Pu-239 are split apart which releases enormous energy. In nuclear power this is done at a comparatively slow controllable rate, in a weapon you want a very rapid reaction to create a huge blast of energy.
If you wanted to slow down the chain reaction in a nuclear reactor would you remove or insert the control rods?
In order to slow down the chain reaction in a nuclear reactor, i.e. to reduce KEff, you would insert the control rods.
Does the cadmium in the control rod slow down a nuclear reaction by absorbing neutrons?
true
Two particles to start nuclear fission reaction?
Uranium 235 (92U235) and slow Neutrons.
What the is krypton?
In nuclear reactors, krypton can absorb enough neutrons to slow or stop the chain reaction.
How many boron made control rod used during nuclear reaction?
Boron rods are introduced into the reaction to slow it down when required.
What is the krypton problem?
In nuclear reactors, krypton can absorb enough neutrons to slow or stop the chain reaction.
Are there fast neutrons?
Yes, in fact for a sustainable nuclear chain reaction to work, you have to slow neutrons down.
