🔬 Science & TechnologyUPSC 2011Space & Space Technology

The function of heavy water in a nuclear reactor is to

aSlow down the speed of neutrons
bIncrease the speed of neutrons
cCool down the reactor
dStop the nuclear reaction
✓ Correct answer: a) Slow down the speed of neutrons
ExplanationModerator is used in a nuclear reactor for slowing down the neutrons produced during the fission reaction so that the chain reaction can be sustained.Due to its high moderating ratio and low neutron absorption cross section, heavy water makes a good moderator.Deuterium oxide, popularly known as heavy water (D2O), is a hydrogen isotope with a mass double that of regular hydrogen and oxygen.However, In nuclear power reactors, heavy water can also be utilized as a coolant.204

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