Consider the following statements regarding the nuclear power plants:1.A thermal reactor needs a moderator material.2.In a nuclear reactor, multiplication factor is kept almost equal to one.3.Nuclear power plants are used as peak load plants only.Which of these statements are correct?
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Thermal nuclear reactors slow neutrons with a moderator so fission remains effective in thermal-fuel systems. Because capital cost is high and fuel cost comparatively low, nuclear plants are generally operated as base-load, not peak-only, units. Key relation: k_eff=1 critical; >1 supercritical; <1 subcritical.
Exam focus: Critical reactor means neutron population is steady. Common trap: Nuclear plants are not peak-load-only plants.
Correct Answer: C - 1 and 2 only Quick Concept Explanation Thermal nuclear reactors slow neutrons with a moderator so fission remains effective in thermal-fuel systems. Because capital cost is high and fuel cost comparatively low, nuclear plants are generally operated as base-load, not peak-only, units. Key relation: k_eff=1 critical; >1 supercritical; <1 subcritical.Exam focus: Critical reactor means neutron population is steady. Common trap: Nuclear plants are not peak-load-only plants. Statement-wise Verification Statement 1 - Correct.A thermal reactor needs a moderator material.Thermal nuclear reactors slow neutrons with a moderator so fission remains effective in thermal-fuel systems. Statement 2 - Correct.In…
Correct Answer: C - 1 and 2 only
Quick Concept Explanation
Thermal nuclear reactors slow neutrons with a moderator so fission remains effective in thermal-fuel systems. Because capital cost is high and fuel cost comparatively low, nuclear plants are generally operated as base-load, not peak-only, units. Key relation: k_eff=1 critical; >1 supercritical; <1 subcritical.
Exam focus: Critical reactor means neutron population is steady. Common trap: Nuclear plants are not peak-load-only plants.
Statement-wise Verification
Statement 1 - Correct. A thermal reactor needs a moderator material. Thermal nuclear reactors slow neutrons with a moderator so fission remains effective in thermal-fuel systems.
Statement 2 - Correct. In a nuclear reactor, multiplication factor is kept almost equal to one. Steady critical operation keeps multiplication factor k_eff close to 1.
Statement 3 - Incorrect. Nuclear power plants are used as peak load plants only. Nuclear plants are generally operated as base-load units
Core Concept
Thermal nuclear reactors slow neutrons with a moderator so fission remains effective in thermal-fuel systems. Steady critical operation keeps multiplication factor k_eff close to 1. Because capital cost is high and fuel cost comparatively low, nuclear plants are generally operated as base-load, not peak-only, units.
Option A is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3. Option B is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3 and omits correct statement(s) 1. Option D is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3 and omits correct statement(s) 2.
Exam Shortcut / Approach
Critical reactor means neutron population is steady.
Common Mistake
Nuclear plants are not peak-load-only plants.
Quick Revision
Thermal Reactor and Multiplication Factor is linked with Nuclear Power Plant, Power Plants and Power Systems. Critical reactor means neutron population is steady.
Quick Trick
Critical reactor means neutron population is steady.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
Option A is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3. Option B is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3 and omits correct statement(s) 1. Option D is incorrect because it includes incorrect statement(s) 3 and omits correct statement(s) 2.
Common Mistake
Nuclear plants are not peak-load-only plants.
Exam Tip
Critical reactor means neutron population is steady.
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