Which component flows between the fuel rods to remove heat produced by fission and water can also act as a moderator?

Which component flows between the fuel rods to remove heat produced by fission and water can also act as a moderator?

• A. Moderator
• B. Regulator Rods
• C. Coolant
• D. Control Rods

Answer: (C)

Heat is produced by fission in the fuel rods and must be carried away to keep the reactor from overheating. The component that does this by flowing between the rods is the coolant, which transfers the heat out of the core. In many reactors, water serves this role and can also act as a moderator, meaning it slows neutrons through collisions with its hydrogen atoms to help sustain the fission process. The other options don’t fit the description: a moderator slows neutrons but isn’t the flow that removes heat, while regulator and control rods are solid components inserted to absorb neutrons and control reactivity, not to carry away heat.

Heat is produced by fission in the fuel rods and must be carried away to keep the reactor from overheating. The component that does this by flowing between the rods is the coolant, which transfers the heat out of the core. In many reactors, water serves this role and can also act as a moderator, meaning it slows neutrons through collisions with its hydrogen atoms to help sustain the fission process. The other options don’t fit the description: a moderator slows neutrons but isn’t the flow that removes heat, while regulator and control rods are solid components inserted to absorb neutrons and control reactivity, not to carry away heat.