EduNinjaPractise the main fission ideas students meet in exams: balancing reactions, energy release, sustaining chain reactions and reactor component roles.
Which two components of a nuclear power station are primarily responsible for ensuring that a controlled chain reaction is maintained?
Control rods and heat exchangers
Moderators and shielding
Shielding and heat exchangers
Moderators and control rods
A suitable material for use as a moderator in a nuclear reactor is...
cadmium.
concrete.
uranium-238.
water.
A nucleus of uranium- absorbs a neutron and decays into two nuclides, xenon-140 ( ) and strontium-94 ( ).
How many neutrons are released in this reaction?
1
2
3
4
The moderator in a nuclear power station...
increases the proportion of U-235 in the fuel source.
transfers internal energy from the reactor to the turbines.
allows operators to regulate the rate of power production.
decreases the kinetic energy of neutrons in the reactor.
Which component is responsible for slowing down neutrons in a nuclear reactor to increase the likelihood of nuclear fission?
Moderator
Control rods
Fuel rods
Heat exchanger
In a simple model of a nuclear reactor, four neutrons are emitted per fission on average.
The average number of neutrons absorbed by the control rods is per fission.
The average number of neutrons that are lost through the walls of the reactor is per fission.
Any remaining neutrons induce further fissions.
What are possible values for and for the reactor to maintain a steady reaction?
1
1
1
3
2
1
2
2
A nucleus of uranium-235 absorbs a neutron and decays into two nuclides, xenon-140 ( ) and strontium-94 ( ).
How many neutrons are released in this reaction?
1
2
3
4
