42. Tell the function of the moderator and control rods in a nuclear reactor.
I found this answer on google..is it correct?
The function of the moderator is to slow down the neutrons produced by fission to greatly increase the probably that they will go on to create even more fissions.
The function of the control rods is to control the rate of fission in the reactor. Because control rods absorb neutrons, inserting them further into the reactor slows down the nuclear chain reaction. Inserting them completely shuts down the reactor. To start up the reactor, the control rods are pulled out of the reactor just enough to sustain that reaction.
Thanks
-MC
Yes, that ok for both moderator and control rods.
Yes, the answer you found on Google is correct.
The function of the moderator in a nuclear reactor is indeed to slow down the neutrons produced by fission. This is important because in order for a chain reaction to occur, the neutrons need to be slowed down so that they have a greater chance of being captured by other atomic nuclei and causing further fission. A common moderator used in nuclear reactors is water or graphite.
The control rods, on the other hand, play a crucial role in controlling the rate of fission in the reactor. These rods are usually made of materials like boron or cadmium that are capable of absorbing neutrons. By inserting the control rods further into the reactor, the number of neutrons available for causing fission is reduced, thus slowing down or even stopping the chain reaction. Conversely, by withdrawing the control rods, the number of available neutrons is increased, allowing for a sustained chain reaction to occur.
To summarize, the moderator slows down the neutrons to increase the probability of fission, while the control rods are used to control the rate of fission by absorbing neutrons.