Question detail
How do control rods function in a nuclear reactor?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Nuclear fission and fusion
Question
- A. They increase the temperature of the reactor
- B. They absorb neutrons to regulate the chain reaction
- C. They release energy to generate electricity
- D. They split large nuclei into smaller ones
Answer
The correct answer is B: They absorb neutrons to regulate the chain reaction.
Explanation
The correct answer is B: They absorb neutrons to regulate the chain reaction. This supports the learning objective "(Physics only) Describe a chain reaction in terms of repeated fission events." in Nuclear fission (physics only) because it uses the correct atomic and nuclear radiation relationship for Nuclear fission and fusion. The other options are less suitable because they do not match the required Nuclear fission (physics only) idea: They increase the temperature of the reactor; They release energy to generate electricity; They split large nuclei into smaller ones.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Chain Reactions
Students often confuse a chain reaction with a single fission event, thinking it only involves one fission process.
To fix this, students should focus on the definition of a chain reaction as a series of repeated fission events, where emitted neutrons from one fission event cause further fission in other nuclei.
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