What is the function of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

What is the function of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

• A. Control rods absorb neutrons to regulate reactor power and can be inserted to shut down.
• B. Control rods circulate coolant.
• C. Control rods generate heat.
• D. Control rods absorb neutrons to regulate reactor power and can be inserted to shut down.

Answer: (B)

Control rods regulate how many neutrons are available to continue the fission process. By inserting them into the reactor core, they absorb neutrons and slow or stop the chain reaction, allowing operators to reduce power or shut the reactor down quickly if needed. They’re made of neutron-absorbing materials such as boron, hafnium, or cadmium. Circulating coolant is the job of the cooling system, which removes heat from the core but does not control the rate of fission. Control rods do not generate heat themselves, they simply regulate the neutron population to control reactor power.

Control rods regulate how many neutrons are available to continue the fission process. By inserting them into the reactor core, they absorb neutrons and slow or stop the chain reaction, allowing operators to reduce power or shut the reactor down quickly if needed. They’re made of neutron-absorbing materials such as boron, hafnium, or cadmium.

Circulating coolant is the job of the cooling system, which removes heat from the core but does not control the rate of fission. Control rods do not generate heat themselves, they simply regulate the neutron population to control reactor power.