The control rods used in a nuclear reactor can be made up of
- Graphite
- Cadmium
- Uranium
- Barium
The Correct Option is B
Approach Solution - 1
Approach Solution -2
Control rods are used in nuclear reactors to regulate the rates of uranium and plutonium nuclear fission. The control rods must be able to take in neutrons for this function without fissioning. To inhibit neutrons of varied energy, control rods are constructed from cross-sections. To regulate the pace of nuclear fission, control rods comprised of boron, cadmium, silver, and indium are used.
Hence, "Option B" is the right response.
Approach Solution -3
We are aware that control rods regulate the fission rate of uranium or plutonium. Often, control rods are constructed of metals like silver, cadmium, boron, or indium. alloys or compounds like titanium diboride, zirconium diboride, and high boron steel. These substances can absorb several neutrons without undergoing nuclear fission. For neutrons of varying energy, these elements have a variety of neutron capture cross-sections.
To control the rate of the nuclear chain reaction, control rods are placed into the core of a nuclear reactor and adjusted. The amount and placement of control rods affect the reactor's reactivity, as does their distance from the reactor. To start the nuclear chain reaction, the control rods are partially withdrawn from the core.
We can use cadmium rods as control rods because they have the ability to absorb neutrons without fissioning themselves.
Therefore, option (B) is correct.
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\[ 2A + B \rightarrow 2C + D \]
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\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|} \hline \text{Experiment} & [A]_0 \, (\text{M}) & [B]_0 \, (\text{M}) & \text{Initial rate} \, (\text{M/s}) \\ \hline I & 0.10 & 0.10 & 0.10 \\ II & 0.20 & 0.10 & 0.40 \\ III & 0.20 & 0.20 & 0.40 \\ \hline \end{array} \]
The total order and order in [B] for the reaction are respectively:
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Concepts Used:
Nuclear Physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies atomic nuclei and their constituents and interactions, in addition to the study of other forms of nuclear matter. Nuclear physics should not be confused with atomic physics, which studies the atom as a whole, including its electrons
Radius of Nucleus
‘R’ represents the radius of the nucleus. R = RoA1/3
Where,
- Ro is the proportionality constant
- A is the mass number of the element
Total Number of Protons and Neutrons in a Nucleus
The mass number (A), also known as the nucleon number, is the total number of neutrons and protons in a nucleus.
A = Z + N
Where, N is the neutron number, A is the mass number, Z is the proton number
Mass Defect
Mass defect is the difference between the sum of masses of the nucleons (neutrons + protons) constituting a nucleus and the rest mass of the nucleus and is given as:
Δm = Zmp + (A - Z) mn - M
Where Z = atomic number, A = mass number, mp = mass of 1 proton, mn = mass of 1 neutron and M = mass of nucleus.