--%>

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 : Explain Millikan oil drop experiment

    Millikan oil drop experiment (R.A. Millikan): A famed experiment designed to compute the electronic charge. The drops of oil were carried past a consistent electric field among charged plates. Subsequent to charging the drop with x-ra

  • Q : What is Chandrasekhar limit

    Chandrasekhar limit (S. Chandrasekhar; 1930): A limit that mandates that no white dwarf (a collapsed, degenerate star) can be much massive than around 1.4 masses solar. Any of the degenerate mass more massive should inevitably collaps

  • Q : Explain BCS theory BCS theory -  The

    BCS theory - The theory put forth to elucidate both superconductivity and super fluidity. This suggests that in the superconducting (or super fluid) state electrons form Cooper pairs, where two electrons proceed as a single unit. This takes a non

  • Q : Define Hertz or SI unit of frequency

    Define Hertz or SI unit of frequency: Hertz: Hz (after H. Hertz, 1857-1894): The derived SI unit of frequency, stated as a frequency of 1 cycle per s; it therefore has units of s-1.

  • Q : Describe the term Specular Reflection

    Describe briefly the term Specular Reflection?

  • 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 : Why heat causes matter to expand What

    What is the reason that heat causes matter to expand? Briefly explain it.

  • Q : Define Constancy principle Constancy

    Constancy principle (A. Einstein): One of the postulates of Sir Einstein's special theory of relativity that puts forth that the speed of light in vacuum is computed as similar speed to all observers, in spite of of their relative mot

  • Q : Describe the applications of the nmr

    Briefly describe the applications of the nmr spectroscopy?

  • Q : Define Ohm or SI unit of electric

    Ohm: Omega: O (after G. Ohm, 1787-1854) The derived SI unit of electric resistance, stated as the resistance among two points on a conductor whenever a constant potential difference of 1 V generates a current of 1 A in the conductor;