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Why does cadmium absorb neutrons during nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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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 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.
Why is the moderator important in a nuclear reactor?
The moderator is used to slow down the neutrons present in the core of the reactor. Normally the neutrons produced as the nuclear fuel (e.g. uranium) is fissioned are travelling too fast to produce a sustained chain reaction. Some examples of moderators are cadmium, heavy water and graphite.
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.
Do moderator in nuclear reactor slows down the neutrons emitted during fission?
Yes, it is the main moderator function in what is called "thermal nuclear reactors"
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 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.
Why is the moderator important in a nuclear reactor?
The moderator is used to slow down the neutrons present in the core of the reactor. Normally the neutrons produced as the nuclear fuel (e.g. uranium) is fissioned are travelling too fast to produce a sustained chain reaction. Some examples of moderators are cadmium, heavy water and graphite.
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 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.
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.
Do moderator in nuclear reactor slows down the neutrons emitted during fission?
Yes, it is the main moderator function in what is called "thermal nuclear reactors"
How could you increase the rate of fission reactions?
Fission does not respond to changes in temperature and pressure like chemical reactions do. In a nuclear reactor, the fission chain reaction can be sped up by removing rods of cadmium, which absorb neutrons. These are in place to prevent the reaction from occurring too quickly. Remove them, and the chain reaction may proceed out of control.
What does nuetron absorption accomplish in a nuclear reactor?
Neutron absorption is the key to the operation of a nuclear reactor as this is what perpetuates the chain reaction. Neutrons can be absorbed by a number of things within the core of an operating reactor, but when a fuel atom absorbs a neutron, it becomes unstable and fissions. The fission event releases fission fragments, energy, and more neutrons, which will, when absorbed, continue the chain reaction.
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
What does fission happen in?
Nuclear reactor
