7.2.6

Nuclear Reactors

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Nuclear Reactors - Controlled Chain Reaction

Nuclear fission produces a chain reaction - the neutrons released by one reaction cause another reaction to occur. Control rods and moderators are used to control the reactions taking place.

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Control rods

  • Control rods are used to control the number of neutrons in the reactor.
  • They can absorb neutrons to slow the rate of reaction.
  • Removing control rods therefore increases the rate of reaction.
Illustrative background for ModeratorsIllustrative background for Moderators ?? "content

Moderators

  • Moderators control the speed at which the neutrons are travelling in the reactor.
  • Surprisingly, the slower a neutron is travelling, the more likely they are to trigger a fission reaction.

Jump to other topics

1Forces & Motion

1.1Basics of Motion

1.2Forces

1.3Effects of Forces

1.4Stopping Distance

1.5Forces & Elasticity

2Electricity

3Waves

4Energy Resources & Energy Transfers

5Solids, Liquids & Gases

6Magnetism & Electromagnetism

7Radioactivity & Particles

8Astrophysics

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