What is the function of the control rods in the entire fission reactor proccess?

Fuel rods provide fissionable elements such as uranium - 235 , The uranium abosrbs a neutron at thermal speeds (  energy transefered to the moderator) from previous reactions. This then enables the Uranium to go through a fission reaction. The reaction splits the uranium into smaller elements with a higher binding energy per neucleon, neutrons and energy. The neutrons expelled from this reaction create a exponetial increase in the rate or on going reactions. The control rods reduce the reaction rate the further they are lowered into the chamber. The control rods absorb the neutrons to modulate this ratebof reaction.  

CS
Answered by Charles S. Physics tutor

5551 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between a Scalar and a Vector?


A person stands on top of a cliff and throws a ball with a speed of 20 m/s at an angle of 10 degrees from above the horizontal into the sea. What is the height of the cliff to 1 decimal place?


If you have 1.33g of oxygen (Mr = 32) in a container of volume 1000cm^3 at atmospheric pressure (101.3*10^3 Pa), what is the temperature of the gas in Celsius? R=8.314


What is natural frequency and how is it associated with resonance?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning