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Chapter 21: Problem 77

How is the rate of energy release controlled in a nuclear reactor?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The rate of energy release in a nuclear reactor is controlled by managing the neutron population and the use of control rods. Neutron population determines the rate of fission reactions, and control rods help regulate neutron population by absorbing neutrons. Adjusting the position of control rods in the reactor core allows for fine control of the rate of energy release.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction

A nuclear reactor is a system where nuclear reactions take place to generate energy. The rate of energy release in a nuclear reactor is primarily controlled by managing neutron population and the use of control rods.
02

Neutron Population Control

The energy release rate in a nuclear reactor is directly related to the rate of nuclear fission reactions. A fission reaction occurs when a heavy nucleus, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, absorbs a neutron and splits into lighter nuclei, also releasing energy and additional neutrons. The more fission reactions occur per unit of time, the higher the energy release rate. To control the rate of energy release, the population of neutrons in the reactor core must be managed.
03

Chain Reactions

When a fission event occurs, typically two or three neutrons are released, which can then be absorbed by other fissile nuclei, causing further fission events. This creates a chain reaction, and the energy release rate can increase exponentially if left uncontrolled. To maintain a steady energy release rate (criticality), the number of neutrons produced in each fission event must be balanced by the number of neutrons absorbed or lost from the reactor core.
04

Control Rods

Control rods are an essential component of nuclear reactors, which help regulate the neutron population and thus the rate of energy release. They are made of materials (such as boron, silver or cadmium) with a high neutron-absorption cross-section. By inserting control rods into the reactor core, a portion of the released neutrons can be absorbed, reducing the number of neutrons available for fission, and hence controlling the energy release rate.
05

Adjusting Control Rods

The position of control rods in the reactor core can be adjusted to regulate the rate of energy release. When the control rods are inserted further into the core, more neutrons get absorbed, reducing the fission rate and energy release. Conversely, when the control rods are retracted, fewer neutrons get absorbed, allowing for more fission reactions and a higher energy release rate.
06

Conclusion

In summary, the rate of energy release in a nuclear reactor is controlled by managing neutron population and the use of control rods. Neutron population determines the rate of fission reactions, and control rods help regulate neutron population by absorbing neutrons. Adjusting the position of control rods in the reactor core allows for fine control of the rate of energy release.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The synthesis of new elements and specific isotopes of known elements in linear accelerators involves the fusion of smaller nuclei. a. An isotope of platinum can be prepared from nickel-64 and tin-124. Write a balanced equation for this nuclear reaction. (You may assume that no neutrons are ejected in the fusion reaction.) b. Substitution of tin- 132 for tin- 124 increases the rate of the fusion reaction 10 times. Which isotope of \(\mathrm{Pt}\) is formed in this reaction?

Fluorine- 18 is often introduced into specific drug molecules for use as imaging agents. a. Write a balanced nuclear equation for the decay of \(^{18} \mathrm{F}\). b. Calculate the binding energy for \(^{18} \mathrm{F}\). The exact mass of \(^{18} \mathrm{F}\) is \(2.98915 \times 10^{-26} \mathrm{kg}\)

Dating Cave Paintings Cave paintings in Gua Saleh Cave in Borneo have been dated by measuring the amount of \(^{14} \mathrm{C}\) in calcium carbonate deposits that formed over the pigments used in the paint. The source of the carbonate ion was atmospheric \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\).a. What is the ratio of the \(^{14} \mathrm{C}\) radioactivity in calcium carbonate that formed 9900 years ago to that in calcium carbonate formed today? b. The archaeologists also used a second method, uranium-thorium dating, to confirm the age of the paintings by measuring trace quantities of these elements present as contaminants in the calcium carbonate. Shown below are two candidates for the U-Th dating method. Which isotope of uranium do you suppose was chosen? Explain your answer. $$\begin{aligned} &t_{1 / 2}=^{233} \mathrm{U} \quad 7.04 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{yr} \quad^{231} \mathrm{Th} \quad \rightarrow \quad^{231} \mathrm{p}_{2} \quad 3 \quad \rightarrow \quad\\\ &t_{1 / 2}=^{234} \mathrm{U} \quad \begin{array}{rl}\rightarrow & ^{230} \mathrm{Th} \\ 2.44 \times 10^{5} \mathrm{yr} & 7.7 \times 10^{4} \mathrm{hr}\end{array} \quad \begin{array}{rl} 226 \mathrm{p}_{2} & \rightarrow \\\1600 & \mathrm{yr}\end{array}\end{aligned}$$

Periodic outbreaks of food poisoning from E. coli-contaminated meat have renewed the debate about irradiation as an effective treatment of food. In one newspaper article on the subject, the following statement appeared: "Irradiating food destroys bacteria by breaking apart their molecular structure." How would you improve or expand on this explanation?

Bombardment of a \({ }^{239} \mathrm{Pu}\) target with \(\alpha\) particles produces \({ }^{242} \mathrm{Cm}\) and another particle. a. Use a balanced nuclear equation to determine the identity of the missing particle. b. The synthesis of which other nuclide described in this chapter involves the same subatomic particles?
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