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Q: Why neutrons are made slow in a reactor?
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What is the function of graphite in a nuclear reactor?

It's purpose is to slow down fast neutrons that maybe present in the reactor.


What is the function of a moderator in a reactor?

It is to slow down the neutrons produced in fission. U-235 and Pu-239 capture slow neutrons much more readily than they do fast neutrons, so it makes the chain reaction much more efficient.


Control rods are used in a reactor core to?

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


What is the function of graphite in the first atomic reactor?

The graphite acts as a moderator, to slow neutrons down. Most fission reactors work on the basis of slow or thermalised neutrons, though some have been built using fast neutrons. When the neutrons are ejected from the uranium nucleus as it fissions or splits, they come off at high speed, but in order to be captured by another nucleus of U-235 they need to be slowed down. This is simply a physical fact, U-235 captures slow neutrons much more readily than it does fast neutrons. Graphite was used in the first demonstration reactor in 1942 and in subsequent bigger reactors at Hanford Wa. It had to be made specially with very high purity to avoid absorbing too many neutrons. Other moderators used are heavy water, as in CANDU reactors, and light water as in PWR. Light water absorbs more neutrons so the fuel has to be enriched in U-235.


What is a nuclear reactor?

An assembly of fissile fuel (U-235 or PU-239) arranged in a geometric array. The assembly can be made to go critical such that a chain reaction starts which builds up a neutron flux inside the assembly. The chain reaction is controlled at a steady level using neutron absorbing control rods.The nuclear reactor can classified under:a thermal nuclear reactor, where the majority of fissions are caused by slow neutrons. In these reactors, the fast neutrons produced by fissions are slowed down with a moderator which can be graphite, heavy water or light water, anda fast nuclear reactor where the majority of fissions are caused by fast neutrons

Related questions

What is the function of graphite in a nuclear reactor?

It's purpose is to slow down fast neutrons that maybe present in the reactor.


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 is the function of a moderator in a reactor?

It is to slow down the neutrons produced in fission. U-235 and Pu-239 capture slow neutrons much more readily than they do fast neutrons, so it makes the chain reaction much more efficient.


Control rods are used in a reactor core to?

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


What is the function of graphite in the first atomic reactor?

The graphite acts as a moderator, to slow neutrons down. Most fission reactors work on the basis of slow or thermalised neutrons, though some have been built using fast neutrons. When the neutrons are ejected from the uranium nucleus as it fissions or splits, they come off at high speed, but in order to be captured by another nucleus of U-235 they need to be slowed down. This is simply a physical fact, U-235 captures slow neutrons much more readily than it does fast neutrons. Graphite was used in the first demonstration reactor in 1942 and in subsequent bigger reactors at Hanford Wa. It had to be made specially with very high purity to avoid absorbing too many neutrons. Other moderators used are heavy water, as in CANDU reactors, and light water as in PWR. Light water absorbs more neutrons so the fuel has to be enriched in U-235.


Why moderator is not used in case of fast breeder reactor?

Moderator is not used in case of fast breeder reactor because there is no need to slow down neutron energy. Nuclear fission takes place at high energy of neutrons.


What is a nuclear reactor?

An assembly of fissile fuel (U-235 or PU-239) arranged in a geometric array. The assembly can be made to go critical such that a chain reaction starts which builds up a neutron flux inside the assembly. The chain reaction is controlled at a steady level using neutron absorbing control rods.The nuclear reactor can classified under:a thermal nuclear reactor, where the majority of fissions are caused by slow neutrons. In these reactors, the fast neutrons produced by fissions are slowed down with a moderator which can be graphite, heavy water or light water, anda fast nuclear reactor where the majority of fissions are caused by fast neutrons


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.


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.


Slows down neutrons in a nuclear reactor?

moderator


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 iodine made from?

the nucleus of a radioactive iodine molecule has excess energy and gives off radiation that can have effects on the cells in which it is concentrated.