A neutron can only be captured if its kinetic energy (speed) is not too low nor too high. The kinetic energies of neutrons emitted from fission are typically too high to successfully induced further fission and cause a chain reaction to occur.ĭiagram illustrates a simple set-up of moderated and controlled chain reaction of Uranium-235. This unstable nuclide will then undergo fission. ![]() While all neutrons in an uncontrolled chain reaction are allowed to induced fission reactions, the number of neutrons allowed to do this in a controlled chain reaction is determined by the number of control rods used.Ĭontrol rods are commonly made of cadnium or boron.įor a neutron to induce fission, it must first be captured in the parent nuclide to form a temporary unstable nuclide. Since absorbed neutrons cannot induced further fission reactions, the use of control rods reduces the rate of fission and hence is essential to facilitate a controlled chain reaction.
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