+3 votes
in Chemistry by kratos

In a nuclear reactor, moderators slow down the neutrons which come out in a fission process. The moderator used have light nuclei. Heavy nuclei will not serve the purpose because

(a) they will break up.

(b) elastic collision of neutrons with heavy nuclei will not slow them down.

(c) the net weight of the reactor would be unbearably high.

(d) substances with heavy nuclei do not occur in liquid or gaseous state at room temperature.

1 Answer

+4 votes
by kratos
 
Best answer

(b) elastic collision of neutrons with heavy nuclei will not slow them down.

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