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What effect are the control rods intended to have on the average kinetic energy and number of fission neutrons in a thermal nuclear reactor? Average kinetic energy of fission neutrons Number of fission neutrons A unchanged unchanged B reduced unchanged C unchanged reduced D increased reduced - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 31 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 31
What effect are the control rods intended to have on the average kinetic energy and number of fission neutrons in a thermal nuclear reactor? Average kinetic energy ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What effect are the control rods intended to have on the average kinetic energy and number of fission neutrons in a thermal nuclear reactor? Average kinetic energy of fission neutrons Number of fission neutrons A unchanged unchanged B reduced unchanged C unchanged reduced D increased reduced - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 31 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
Average kinetic energy of fission neutrons
Answer
The control rods are made of materials that absorb neutrons, which reduces the number of neutrons available to continue the fission reaction. As the reaction is slowed down, the average kinetic energy of the fission neutrons remains unchanged because the principle of thermal equilibrium is maintained.
Step 2