Question

How do nuclear reactors utilize chain reactions?

Answer 1

Hint: In order to answer the given question, you will have to give a brief description about what actually nuclear reactors are and also on their working. While discussing the working you will understand the key role of chain reactions in them. Also, give the advantages of nuclear reactors.

Complete answer:
In the question, we are asked as to how the nuclear reactors make use of the chain reactions. In order to answer this, we have to understand the working of a nuclear reactor.

They could be fundamentally defined as large kettles that are used so as to heat water and as the resultant of this huge amount of low carbon electricity is produced. You may be familiar with the nuclear fission process which is basically the splitting of atoms to result in two smaller atoms and some additional neutrons. Chain reaction happens when these resultant neutrons further hit other atoms and the process occurs again releasing more numbers of neutrons.

A huge amount of energy is released as heat when chain reaction occurs. This heat could be removed by circulating water or any other liquids. For electricity production, steam generated by the heat so produced is used in driving the turbines. Certain systems are placed that accelerate, slow down or even shut down the nuclear reaction accordingly and thereby ensuring the right speed of the nuclear reaction.

Therefore, we found out that the chain reaction helps in enhancing the fission of atoms and hence increasing the heat production to great extent.

Note:
The nuclear reactors are well known for their reliability for electricity generation as they are capable of running for many months that too for 24hours a day irrespective of the season or weather. They can be of any shape or size with water or gas or even liquid metal to cool their cores.