Question

Why is a cadmium rod used as an absorbing material to control the reaction rate of neutrons in a nuclear reactor?

Answer 1

Nuclear reactor:

• Nuclear reactors are those reactors in which radioactive nuclei undergo nuclear reactions to produce a huge amount of energy.
• Generally, Uranium undergoes nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor.

Control rod: Control rods are those rods that are used in the nuclear reactor to control the rate of nuclear fission without involving in the nuclear reaction.

Cadmium rod used in a nuclear reactor:

• The cadmium rod has a large cross-section.
• Cadmium control rods are used to regulate the reaction rate of nuclear fission or reactors in a nuclear reactor by absorbing neutrons.