Reactor reflectors are integrated into nuclear plant designs to________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. return the neutrons back into the core
Explanation
Reactor reflectors are engineering components placed strategically surrounding the nuclear reactor core. Their primary purpose is to scatter escaping neutrons back inward toward the fission fuel zone. Returning these neutrons improves overall neutron economy and reduces required critical mass limits. Reflector materials possess high scattering cross-sections and low neutron absorption characteristics. Common reflector materials include graphite, beryllium, and heavy water placed around the core. Without reflectors, a larger fraction of generated neutrons would leak out and be wasted.
Reflectors help improve fuel efficiency in commercial power reactors by conserving valuable neutrons. Compact reactor designs benefit significantly from reflectors by reducing the overall core size needed. Shielding calculations must account for the high energy neutron flux scattered by core reflectors. Shielding radioactivity completely is the function of thick biological radiation shields, not reflectors. Checking pollution relates to environmental management rather than the nuclear physics role of reflectors. Conserving energy is a general thermodynamic principle rather than the specific neutron-scattering task.
- Subject
- Engineering
- Category
- Mechanical Engineering
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
Related questions
Q1. Plutonium-239 is artificially synthesized through__________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: B. by neutron irradiation of IT*
Plutonium-239 is synthesized inside nuclear reactors by exposing uranium-238 targets to intense neutron radiation. Uranium-238 absorbs a neutron to become uranium-239 which subsequently decays into plutonium through beta...
Q2. A pressurized water reactor is engineered to function such that________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: D. to prevent the water coolant from boiling in the core
Pressurized water reactors maintain high operating pressure in the primary loop specifically to prevent bulk boiling in the core. Pressurizers utilize electric heaters and water sprays to keep the primary coolant liquid...
Q3. A fast breeder reactor makes use of_______________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. 90% U-235
Fast breeder reactors typically use mixed oxide fuels or enriched uranium/plutonium rather than 90% U-235, which is characteristic of certain research or naval reactors.
Q4. Man-made radioactive isotopes find practical application in fields such as________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: E. medical field
Man-made radioactive isotopes are produced in nuclear reactors for diverse practical applications. The medical field utilizes these radioisotopes extensively for diagnostic imaging procedures. Radiation therapy also empl...
Q5. Solid nuclear reactor fuels are commonly manufactured into compact geometric shapes such as___________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: D. any one of the above
Solid nuclear fuels are manufactured into multiple geometric forms like cylindrical pellets, plates, and pins. These diverse shapes accommodate different reactor core designs, cooling requirements, and power output targe...
Q6. Nuclear reactors engineered specifically for marine or vehicle propulsion are designed to feature_______________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: B. enriched uranium
Compact reactors designed for marine or vehicle propulsion require enriched uranium to achieve high power density. Enriched fuel allows the physical reactor core to remain remarkably small while generating immense therma...