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What is a nuclear reactor?

In: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Reactors [Edit categories]

Answer:

An assembly of fissile fuel (U-235 or PU-239) arranged in a geometric array. The assembly can be made to go critical such that a chain reaction starts which builds up a neutron flux inside the assembly. The chain reaction is controlled at a steady level using neutron absorbing control rods.

The nuclear reactor can classified under:

a thermal nuclear reactor, where the majority of fissions are caused by slow neutrons. In these reactors, the fast neutrons produced by fissions are slowed down with a moderator which can be graphite, heavy water or light water, and
a fast nuclear reactor where the majority of fissions are caused by fast neutrons

First answer by Knapp1. Last edit by Knapp1. Contributor trust: 685 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 4 [recommend question].

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