Question

Heavy water is used in nuclear reactors :

• A. to absorb neutrons to sustain controlled reaction
• B. to absorb neutrons to stop the chain reaction
• C. to reduce hazardous radiation from nuclear reaction
• D. to slow down the neutrons to thermal energies

Answer 1

The correct option is A to absorb neutrons to sustain controlled reaction

Heavy water is basically used as a moderator in nuclear reactors to slow down the neutrons so that they are captured and become effective to bring about the fission reaction. The main reason why heavy water is used as a moderator is because it captures less neutrons than the normal water.