What role does water play in a nuclear power plant?

Select all that apply.

Liquid water is boiled to steam, which is pressurized and turns the turbine to produce electricity.
Liquid water absorbs some of the heat of the reaction, which helps to control the reactions.
Water chemically reacts with uranium, which causes uranium to emit neutrons and produce a chain reaction.
The metal rods holding the nuclear fuel pellets are stored in a pool of water, which absorbs the neutrons produced and controls the rate of the nuclear reactions.

Liquid water is boiled to steam, which is pressurized and turns the turbine to produce electricity.

The metal rods holding the nuclear fuel pellets are stored in a pool of water, which absorbs the neutrons produced and controls the rate of the nuclear reactions.

Liquid water is boiled to steam, which is pressurized and turns the turbine to produce electricity.

Liquid water absorbs some of the heat of the reaction, which helps to control the reactions.
The metal rods holding the nuclear fuel pellets are stored in a pool of water, which absorbs the neutrons produced and controls the rate of the nuclear reactions.

Well, water sure has a lot on its plate in a nuclear power plant! It's like the H2Olympics in there. Boiling, absorbing heat, and even playing lifeguard to the metal rods in the pool. Talk about a multi-talented molecule!

The correct answers are:

1. Liquid water is boiled to steam, which is pressurized and turns the turbine to produce electricity.
2. Liquid water absorbs some of the heat of the reaction, which helps to control the reactions.
4. The metal rods holding the nuclear fuel pellets are stored in a pool of water, which absorbs the neutrons produced and controls the rate of the nuclear reactions.

The correct answer choice for the role of water in a nuclear power plant is:

1. Liquid water is boiled to steam, which is pressurized and turns the turbine to produce electricity.
2. Liquid water absorbs some of the heat of the reaction, which helps to control the reactions.
4. The metal rods holding the nuclear fuel pellets are stored in a pool of water, which absorbs the neutrons produced and controls the rate of the nuclear reactions.

Explanation:

1. In a nuclear power plant, water is heated by the energy released from nuclear reactions. The heated water is then converted into steam, which drives the turbine. As the steam passes through the turbine, it spins the blades, producing mechanical energy. The mechanical energy generated by the turbine is then transformed into electrical energy by a generator.

2. Water also plays a crucial role in controlling the nuclear reactions within the reactor. As the nuclear fuel undergoes fission, it emits a huge amount of heat. The water surrounding the reactor core absorbs some of this heat, acting as a coolant. By extracting heat from the reaction, the water helps to control and regulate the temperature inside the reactor, ensuring it does not become too hot. This helps to prevent damage to the reactor and maintain safe operating conditions.

4. Another important role of water in a nuclear power plant is its use in the storage and cooling of fuel rods in the spent fuel pool. After the fuel rods have been used in the reactor, they are highly radioactive and emit a significant amount of heat. Storing them in a pool of water helps to absorb the heat and dissipate it, preventing overheating and potential accidents. Additionally, the water surrounding the fuel rods acts as a shielding material, absorbing and controlling the neutrons emitted during the nuclear reactions, thus controlling the rate of the reactions.

However, water does not chemically react with uranium in a nuclear power plant to emit neutrons or produce a chain reaction. The nuclear reactions and chain reactions are generated by the nuclear fuel itself, without any involvement from water.