An engineer is evaluating a newly developed material for use as a moderator in a thermal nuclear power plant. During testing, they monitor two key parameters of the neutron population as the neutrons pass through the moderator:
Which row in the table correctly identifies the intended effect of an ideal moderator on these two parameters?
OptionEffect on EkEffect on NAUnchangedReducedBReducedUnchangedCReducedReducedDUnchangedUnchanged \begin{array}{c|c|c} \text{Option} & \text{Effect on } E_{\text{k}} & \text{Effect on } N \\ \hline \text{A} & \text{Unchanged} & \text{Reduced} \\ \text{B} & \text{Reduced} & \text{Unchanged} \\ \text{C} & \text{Reduced} & \text{Reduced} \\ \text{D} & \text{Unchanged} & \text{Unchanged} \end{array} OptionABCDEffect on EkUnchangedReducedReducedUnchangedEffect on NReducedUnchangedReducedUnchangedState the correct option and justify your answer.
