0
Graphite is a "moderator" that slows down the fast neutrons which are produced during the fission process. Fast neutrons are captured by uranium-238 atoms removing them from the chain reaction process. Slow "thermal" neutrons avoid uranium-238 atoms and easily split uranium-235 atoms, producing 2 to 3 more neutrons that can continue the chain reaction.
For a moderator to be effective it must slow neutrons rapidly (before too many can be captured by uranium-238 atoms and thus removed from the chain reaction). The most effective moderators in decreasing order are: heavy water (D2O), graphite (C), light water (H2O).
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoGraphite is one of the materials in the world that is really good at slowing down Neutrons.
We know that any kind of fission activity gives away neutrons. For every atom that is split by kicking it with a neutron, two more neutrons are released.
This makes the fission process exponential in nature and in a split second we can have a nuclear explosion.
The key to controlling the fission activity is to use Graphite or similar material with same properties. This material will absorb free neutrons. Many design considerations do however apply in order for this to work...
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Are control rods in nuclear reactors made of graphite?
No, control rods in nuclear reactors are not made of graphite. The control rods have to be able to gather up the neutrons to shut the reactor down, so boron is often selected. Graphite is used in some reactors as a moderator, and a moderator slows down neutrons. The slower neutrons have a greater ability to undergo neutron capture to continue the chain.
Are control rods of nuclear reactors used to stop a leak?
Not really. Control rods are used to start up and shut down a nuclear reactor.
What is used in control rods in nuclear power plants?
Plutonium
Which is are used in nuclear reactors to absorb neutrons?
control rods
Which are used in nuclear reactors to absorb neutrons?
boron or cadmium control rods.
Are control rods in nuclear reactors made of graphite?
No, control rods in nuclear reactors are not made of graphite. The control rods have to be able to gather up the neutrons to shut the reactor down, so boron is often selected. Graphite is used in some reactors as a moderator, and a moderator slows down neutrons. The slower neutrons have a greater ability to undergo neutron capture to continue the chain.
Are graphite rods radioactive?
no graphite rod not radioactive but these r absorb radioemission rays that's why people think so because in the nuclear plant graphite rod use as a controling nuclear reaction by absirb the nuclear emission rays .A2. The graphite is used as a Moderator - a material that slows the neutrons down sufficiently that they have a greater chance of collision and thus releasing some of their energy. Which we use as thermal energy.Otherwise, the neutrons would have only a small chance of interacting - they are travelling very fast, and the dimensions of a nuclear pile is only a metre or so in dimension. Having interacted to give up some of their energy, the neutrons then just lose the remainder of their energy in the shielding.
How is nuclear graphite manufactured?
The graphite used in graphite moderated nuclear reactors is produced in the same type of electrical furnace as is used to produce ordinary graphite, except there must be no boron in any part of the furnace.
Who developed nuclear fission?
The first fission reactor was built in WW2 under Enrico Fermi, as part of the Manhattan Project to develop the A bomb. That was in 1942 in Chicago. It was a very simple pile of graphite bricks with natural uranium rods and operated at a very low power level, in air. Graphite reactors used to be called "piles" after that, for many years, and were developed for power production mainly in the UK and France.
Can plutonium be used as control rods?
Plutonium is used for nuclear fuels not for control rods.
Are control rods of nuclear reactors used to stop a leak?
Not really. Control rods are used to start up and shut down a nuclear reactor.
Is silver used in the operation of nuclear power plants?
No, Enriched Uranium-235 is used in a nuclear reactor as the fuel in the fuel rods and boron is used in the control rods.
What are fuel rods in nuclear plants made of?
The fuel rods used in a nuclear reactor are made from uranium 235(U-235).
An element used in nuclear reactors?
Uranium, plutonium, thorium as nuclear fuels. Heavy water and water as cooling agents or moderators. Zirconium and stainless steels for nuclear rods cladding, calandria, pipes, etc. Also graphite, helium, beryllium, cadmium, indium, silver, gadolinium, etc.
Which is are used in nuclear reactors to absorb neutrons?
control rods
What is used in control rods in nuclear power plants?
Plutonium
What happens to fuel rods that are used to create nuclear fission?
You have a misapprehension there, it is uranium oxide that is used in fuel rods, not fossil fuel
