Question

In which of the following reactor is fission caused by slow or thermal neutrons?

(a) Thermal reactor

(b) Burner reactor

(c) Fast reactor

(d) Breeder reactor

The question was posed to me in an international level competition.

Asked question is from Nuclear Reactor Components in division Nuclear Power Plant of Energy Engineering

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) Thermal reactor

The explanation is: A thermal reactor is a nuclear reactor that uses slow or thermal neutrons.  Most nuclear power plants are thermal reactors and use neutron moderator to slow neutrons until they approach the average kinetic energy of the surrounding particles. Fission is caused by slow or thermal neutrons.