Past exam of the materials science course of the University of Cambridge / 2019 / Paper 1 / 6 / a / iii / Solution 2026-10-20
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Control rods absorb neutrons. Changing their insertion changes the neutron balance and hence reactor reactivity; sufficiently strong insertion makes the chain reaction subcritical. They provide control and shutdown functions. Continued decay heat means that shutdown does not remove the need for cooling.
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