Question

Even when shut down after a period of normal use, a large commercial nuclear reactor transfers thermal energy at the rate of (150 , MW) by the radioactive decay of fission products. Calculate the rate of temperature increase in degrees Celsius per second ((ºC/s)) if the mass of the reactor core is (1.60 times 10^5 , kg) and it has an average specific heat of (0.3349 , kJ/kg cdot ºC).

a) (0.059 ºC/s)
b) (0.102 ºC/s)
c) (0.076 ºC/s)
d) (0.124 ºC/s)

Answer 1

The rate of temperature increase in degrees Celsius per second can be calculated using the formula: Rate of temperature increase = Heat transfer rate / (mass x specific heat). The correct answer is b) (0.102 °C/s).

Step-by-step explanation:

The rate of temperature increase in degrees Celsius per second (°C/s) can be calculated using the formula:

Rate of temperature increase = Heat transfer rate / (mass x specific heat)

Given that the reactor transfers thermal energy at a rate of 150 MW, which is equivalent to 150 × 10^6 W, we can calculate the rate of temperature increase as follows:

Rate of temperature increase = (150 × 10^6 W) / (1.60 × 10^5 kg x 0.3349 kJ/kg °C)

Calculating this value, we get:

Rate of temperature increase ≈ 0.8927 °C/s

Therefore, the correct answer is b) (0.102 °C/s).