Exam-style question
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How does a neutron moderator contribute to sustaining a chain reaction?.
- A.By increasing the mass of the fuel
- B.By slowing down neutrons to increase their likelihood of causing fission
- C.By absorbing excess neutrons
- D.By increasing the temperature of the reactor
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- By slowing down neutrons to increase their likelihood of causing fission
Explanation
Why this works
A neutron moderator slows down fast neutrons, making them more likely to be captured by fissile nuclei, thus sustaining the chain reaction effectively.
Common mistake
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