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In most reactors in the world, water is used to absorb heat released from the reactor.

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Q: What substance is used in a nuclear reactor to absorb heat released from the reactor?
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Why does cadmium absorb neutrons during nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor?

Different elements absorb neutrons to different extents. The measure of this is called the neutron absorption cross section, you can visualise this as the size of a scoop collecting water from a stream, or something similar. Cadmium just happens to have a very large cross section for slow neutrons which are the main cause of the fission chain reaction in a reactor. Boron has similar properties. The precise reason for this involves study of nuclear physics, which you will have to read up in a scientific book on the subject, to get some understanding.


Is this true The function of control rods in a nuclear reactor is to speed up the nuclear reactions?

No, the function of the control rods is to absorb surplus neutrons so that the chain reaction proceeds at a steady rate, and to compensate for the reducing reactivity of the reactor as the fuel is burned up over the refuelling cycle. They also have a very important safety function in shutting down the reactor fully when required, by inserting them fully, thus preventing any chain reaction from starting.


A device which controls the rate of nuclear fission reactions is called?

I found this: " The control rods, another important part of the reactor, regulate or control the speed of the nuclear chain reaction, by sliding up and down between the fuel rods or fuel assemblies in the reactor core. The control rods contain material such as cadmium and boron. Because of their atomic structure cadmium and boron absorb neutrons, but do not fission or split. Therefore, the control rods act like sponges that absorb extra neutrons." Here (you may have to copy and paste in two parts): http://www.aboutnuclear.org/view.cgi?fC=Electricity,Operation,Reactor,Control_Rods


Which substance acts as an emulsifier and helps absorb digested fat?

This chemical is called bile.


Why is a fusion reactor unlikely to explode?

If it is a tokamak as is likely, the chamber will be under vacuum, unlike a pressurised water reactor which has a pressure vessel at high pressure. However a fully engineered design does not exist yet so what the plant to absorb the reaction's heat will look like is unknown.

Related questions

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 absorbs neutrons in a nuclear reactor and begins with C?

We see the use of control rods in a reactor to absorb neutrons. These rods are often made of boron.


What part of a nuclear reactor is designed to absorb neutrons?

The control rods are used as a variable absorber, otherwise the reactor is designed not to absorb more neutrons than can be helped, in order to reduce the amount of enriched fuel needed. Around the outside of the reactor will be a concrete shield to protect operating staff.


How is a chain reaction in a nuclear reactor controlled?

Nuclear reactors contain rods made of materials which will absorb neutrons. This reduced the cascade of neutrons which are responsible for the chain reaction.


What is in a nuclear reactor in a control rod?

Control rods absorb excess neutrons. By withdrawing them the power level of the reactor goes up. By inserting them the power level of the reactor goes down. They act similar to the throttle control on airplane engines.


What is the control rod in a nuclear reactor?

Control rods absorb excess neutrons. By withdrawing them the power level of the reactor goes up. By inserting them the power level of the reactor goes down. They act similar to the throttle control on airplane engines.


Control rods are used in a reactor core to?

Reactor control rods are made of a substance that absorbs neutrons.


What control the chain reaction in a nuclear reactor?

The reason a nuclear chain reaction occurs is that one of the by products of a single reaction: the neutrons can start reactions of their own. So how do you stop a chain reaction? Stop these neutrons from causing any more reactions. This is done in nuclear reactors by placing control rods into the reactor core. These control rods are made of elements that can absorb the high energy neutrons without reacting themselves. Therefore, by moving these rods in and out of the reactor, the rate of reaction in a nuclear reactor can be easily controlled.


What are controls rods used for?

They are neutron absorbers, and by raising/lowering they can absorb variable amounts of neutrons. This allows the reactor to be maintained just critical at a steady power, or power to be raised/lowered, or shutdown completely and safely held down.


What is in a nuclear reactor?

Shielding is the use of materials to absorb free or loose radiation, and prevent it from leaving the reactor; this would be a hazard to workers otherwise. The standard materials are concrete and lead, for their ease of use and installment, low cost and high effectiveness.


What are nuclear reactors made from?

Reactors are typically made from concrete,steel and lined with lead, the combination of these materials and built into a strong shape(bullet shaped or spherical shaped etc..) make up a nuclear reactor, these materials also absorb the radiation produced inside the nuclear reactor(lead absorbs gamma radiation and concrete absorbs neutron radiation).


What is shielding in a nuclear reactor?

Shielding is the use of materials to absorb free or loose radiation, and prevent it from leaving the reactor; this would be a hazard to workers otherwise. The standard materials are concrete and lead, for their ease of use and installment, low cost and high effectiveness.