Question

During a heat wave, there is an increased demand for electricity to operate air conditioners. The basic design of a nuclear reactor that generates electricity is shown below. What is the best way for the power plant manager to modify the reactor to meet the demand for electricity?

a)lower the control rods, which will absorb more neutrons before they can split atoms
b)raise the control rods so that fewer neutrons are absorbed and more can split uranium atoms
c)remove some of the fuel rods, which will leave more room for additional neutrons to split atoms
d)add additional fuel rods to generate additional neutrons to split uranium atoms

Answer 1

Given that the design is not shown, for traditional nuclear reactors with control rods, the best way to meet an increased demand for energy would be to raise the control rods so that less neutrons are absorbed.

So, the most reasonable answer to the question is B.

Answer 2

b)raise the control rods so that fewer neutrons are absorbed and more can split uranium atoms

Step-by-step explanation:

Here in nuclear reactor we know that high energy neutrons are projected on uranium atom which will further break the uranium into smaller atoms and thus energy is released.

In this whole process the reaction and the released energy is controlled by the help of control rods which will absorb the high speed neutrons and control the energy of the reaction.

Now if energy demand is increased then in this case the energy demand can be fulfilled by generating more energy for which we can remove the control rods so that more number of neutrons will strike with uranium atom and hence more energy will release.

so correct answer will be

b)raise the control rods so that fewer neutrons are absorbed and more can split uranium atoms