Final answer:
The basic reaction in a nuclear power plant is fission, and if the fuel rods overheat, it can result in a meltdown, denoted as option c) fission/meltdown.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic reaction that takes place in a nuclear power plant is fission. If the fuel rods get too hot, they can cause a meltdown. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is c) fission/meltdown.
In a nuclear power plant, nuclear reactors harness the energy from the fission of uranium or plutonium by neutron bombardment. The process involves a series of components: nuclear fuel in the form of fissionable material, a nuclear moderator, a reactor coolant, control rods, and a shield and containment system. These elements work together to prevent a supercritical mass, control neutron flux, and absorption, and maintain a sustained and controlled chain reaction.
Nuclear power plants cannot create a nuclear explosion because they are designed to avoid forming a supercritical mass of fissile material. However, system and safety failures can lead to catastrophic accidents, such as nuclear meltdowns, which result from damage to the reactor core due to overheating. Control rods play a crucial role in managing the fission reaction by absorbing neutrons and thereby adjusting the rate of the chain reaction.