During a heat wave, there is an increased demand for electricity to operate air conditioners. The basic design of a nuclear reactor that generates electricity is shown below.
What is the best way for the power plant manager to modify the reactor to meet the demand for electricity?
lower the control rods, which will absorb more neutrons before they can split atoms
raise the control rods so that fewer neutrons are absorbed and more can split uranium atoms
remove some of the fuel rods, which will leave more room for additional neutrons to split atoms
add additional fuel rods to generate additional neutrons to split uranium atoms
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The best way for the power plant manager to modify the reactor to meet the increased demand for electricity during a heat wave would be to add additional fuel rods to generate additional neutrons to split uranium atoms. This would increase the rate of nuclear fission reactions, resulting in more heat being produced and subsequently more electricity being generated.
1 answer