Question

The following questions are about the nuclear reactor of a power plant.

(a) Which isotope of uranium produces the energy in the fuel rods?
(b) Will the fuel rods last for ever?
(c) Is the energy produced by nuclear fission or nuclear fusion?
(d) What is the purpose of using the graphite moderator?
(e) What is the function of boron rods in the nuclear reactor?
(f) Why is liquid sodium (or carbon dioxide gas) pumped through the reactor?

Answer 1

(a) Uranium-235 produces the energy in the fuel rods.
(b) No. But a nuclear power plant can work day and night for two to three years on the same uranium fuel.
(c) Its energy is produced by nuclear fission.
(d) Graphite acts a moderator in the reactor by slowing down fast-moving neutrons in it.
(e) The boron rods act as control rods and absorb excess neutrons, preventing the fission reaction from going out of control.
(f) Liquid sodium is pumped to transfer the heat produced in the reactor by fission to a heat exchanger for converting water into steam.