Control Rods


Control rods are devices used in nuclear reactors to control the fission rate of uranium and plutonium. They are made of materials that absorb neutrons, such as boron, cadmium, or hafnium. By inserting or withdrawing control rods from the reactor core, the number of neutrons available for fission can be adjusted, thus controlling the power output of the reactor. Control rods are an essential safety feature of nuclear reactors, as they can be used to shut down the reactor in case of emergency or to prevent overheating. The position of the control rods is controlled by a mechanism that can be operated manually or automatically.


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