Identify a heavy isotope commonly used as fuel in commercial nuclear fission reactors.
Explain what is meant by a self-sustaining fission chain reaction.
Explain why the high-level waste containing fission products must be shielded and stored securely in deep geological repositories for thousands of years.
Many nuclear reactors use pressurized water or heavy water as a moderator. Describe the main purpose of the moderator in the reactor core.
The power output of a reactor is controlled by adjusting the position of control rods. Explain how withdrawing the control rods affects the rate of nuclear fission.
An advanced gas-cooled nuclear reactor is cooled by circulating helium gas.
The helium enters the reactor core at a temperature of 220 ∘C220\ ^\circ\text{C}220 ∘C.
Convert this entry temperature into kelvin.
The helium gas enters the core at a pressure of 4.50 MPa and leaves the core at a temperature of 950 K.
Calculate the pressure of the helium gas as it leaves. Assume that the volume of the gas remains constant during its passage through the core.
