Nuclear Fission

Question 1

What is nuclear fission?

Answer 1

The splitting of a large atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei

Question 2

Nuclear reactor in order

Answer 2

Left:
Control rods, radiation shielding, pressure vessel, graphite moderator, fuel rods
Right:
Hot coolant, heat exchanger, water circulator, cool coolant, coolant pump

Question 3

What is the function of control rods

Answer 3

Control rods absorb excess nutrons

Question 4

What does a moderator do in the nuclear reactor? What is it made of?

Answer 4

A moderator slows down fast moving electron and it is made from graphite.

Question 5

What does the coolant do in a nuclear reactor? What is it made from?

Answer 5

They remove excess heat, they’re made from water

Question 6

What do fuel rods do in the nuclear reactor? What are they made from?

Answer 6

Fuel rods capture neutrons, they’re made from uranium

Question 7

What does shielding do in the nuclear reactor? What is it made from?

Answer 7

Shielding absorb hazardous radiation and it is made from concrete

Question 8

An example of an unstable nucleus in a nucleus used for nuclear fission

Answer 8

Uranium 235/238 or plutonium