--%>

Why is heavy water employed as a moderator

Describe why is heavy water employed as a moderator? Illustrate.

E

Expert

Verified

Heavy water is highly enriched in the hydrogen isotope deuterium. We can evaluate the neutron interactions with billiard ball collision, where the neutron collides with nucleus of other atoms and lose energy. When the colliding nucleus size is small such as hydrogen nucleus it will lose the maximum energy. When nucleus is heavy, then the neutron hits the nucleus just alters its direction however not that much change in the energy of neutron. Therefore we use heavy water as moderator to slow down the neutrons.

   Related Questions in Physics

  • Q : Define Stefan-Boltzmann constant

    Stefan-Boltzmann constant: sigma (Stefan, L. Boltzmann): The constant of proportionality exist in the Stefan-Boltzmann law. It is equivalent to 5.6697 x 10-8 W/m2/K4.

  • Q : Explain Lagrange points Lagrange points

    Lagrange points: The points in the vicinity of two massive bodies (like the Earth and Moon) with each others' relevant gravities balance. There are five, labeled L1 via L5. L1, L2, and L3 lie all along the centerline among the centers

  • Q : Define Weiss constant Weiss constant :

    Weiss constant: The characteristic constant dependent on the substance, employed in computing the susceptibility of the paramagnetic materials.

  • Q : Define Systeme Internationale d'Unites

    Systeme Internationale d'Unites (SI): The rationalized and coherent system of units derived from the m.k.s. system (that itself is derived from metric system) in common utilization in physics nowadays.

  • Q : What is Bode's law Bode's law :

    Bode's law: Titius-Bode law - The mathematical formula that generates, with a fair quantity of accuracy, the semi major axes of the planets in out of order from the Sun. Write down the progression 0, 3, 6, 12, 24,

  • Q : What is balmer series Balmer series (J.

    Balmer series (J. Balmer; 1885): An equation that explains the emission spectrum of hydrogen whenever an electron is jumping to the next orbital; four of the lines are in visible spectrum, and the remainder (residue) are in the ultraviolet.

  • Q : Collision & Transition State Theory

    Assuming ideal gas: a)  Calculate the average velocity of a nitrogen molecule at 298K and compare to the velocity of a helium molecule at the same conditions. b)      Calculate the temperature wh

  • Q : What is Gaia hypothesis Gaia hypothesis

    Gaia hypothesis (J. Lovelock, 1969): The thought that the Earth as an entire must be regarded as a living organism and that biological procedures stabilize the atmosphere.

  • Q : What is Reflection law Reflection law :

    Reflection law: For a wave-front intersecting a reflecting surface, the angle of incidence is equivalent to the angle of reflection, in the similar plane stated by the ray of incidence and the normal.

  • Q : What is Magnetic monopole Magnetic

    Magnetic monopole: The hypothetical particle that comprises sources and sinks of the magnetic field. The magnetic monopoles have never been found, however would only cause pretty minor modifications to the Maxwell's equations. They also appear to be p