Types of Nuclear Reactors: Comprehensive Guide for University Students

Question 1

Which of the following is **NOT** a type of nuclear reactor design?

Accepted Answer

Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)

Answer

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

Answer

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Answer

Gas-Cooled Reactor (GCR)

Question 2

Which of the following is a key distinction between a PWR and a BWR?

Accepted Answer

Coolant pressure

Answer

Fuel type

Answer

Turbine design

Answer

Fuel enrichment

Question 3

Distinguish the reactor type that does NOT utilize water as a coolant?

Accepted Answer

Gas-cooled Reactor (GCR)

Answer

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

Answer

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Answer

Heavy Water Reactor (HWR)

Question 4

Which reactor type is renowned for its inherent safety features?

Accepted Answer

CANDU Reactor

Answer

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

Answer

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Answer

Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR)

Question 5

Which reactor design employs a molten metal as its coolant?

Accepted Answer

Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR)

Answer

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

Answer

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Answer

CANDU Reactor

Question 6

What is the primary reason for the containment building in a nuclear power plant?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the release of radioactive materials during potential accidents

Answer

To house the reactor core and control systems

Answer

To generate steam for driving turbines

Answer

To store spent nuclear fuel

Question 7

Which type of reactor design utilizes regular water for both cooling and moderation purposes?

Accepted Answer

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Answer

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

Answer

Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR)

Answer

Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR)

Question 8

Which of the following is not considered a type of nuclear reactor?

Accepted Answer

Airplane Engine

Answer

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

Answer

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Answer

Magnox Reactor

Question 9

In a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), what acts as the primary coolant?

Accepted Answer

Water

Answer

Heavy Water

Answer

Carbon Dioxide

Answer

Sodium

Question 10

Which of the following is a key advantage of using a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)?

Accepted Answer

Increased efficiency due to direct steam generation

Answer

Lower capital costs compared to other reactor types

Answer

Reduced environmental impact through lower waste production

Answer

Enhanced safety features minimizing the risk of accidents

Question 11

What is the main function of a moderator in a nuclear reactor?

Accepted Answer

Slowing down neutrons to increase the probability of nuclear reactions

Answer

Controlling the rate of the nuclear reaction

Answer

Absorbing neutrons to prevent uncontrolled chain reactions

Answer

Producing heat through nuclear reactions

Question 12

What is the fundamental difference between a critical and a subcritical reactor?

Accepted Answer

A critical reactor sustains a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, while a subcritical reactor does not

Answer

A critical reactor operates at a constant power level, while a subcritical reactor's power level fluctuates

Answer

A critical reactor uses enriched uranium fuel, while a subcritical reactor uses natural uranium fuel

Answer

A critical reactor is used for power generation, while a subcritical reactor is used for research

Question 13

What is the primary purpose of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

Accepted Answer

Controlling the rate of the nuclear reaction by absorbing neutrons

Answer

Initiating the nuclear chain reaction

Answer

Producing heat through nuclear reactions

Answer

Removing radioactive waste products

Question 14

Which of the following accurately describes the distinctive features and advantages of CANDU reactors?

Accepted Answer

Utilizes natural uranium fuel, heavy water as moderator and coolant.

Answer

Employs enriched uranium fuel, light water as moderator and coolant.

Answer

Employs enriched uranium fuel, heavy water as moderator and coolant.

Answer

Employs enriched uranium fuel, graphite as moderator, carbon dioxide as coolant.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a type of nuclear reactor design?

Accepted Answer

Wind turbine

Answer

Pressurized water reactor (PWR)

Answer

Boiling water reactor (BWR)

Answer

Gas-cooled reactor (GCR)

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of a moderator in a nuclear reactor?

Accepted Answer

To control the speed (energy) of the neutrons

Answer

To absorb neutrons and produce heat

Answer

To reflect neutrons back into the core

Answer

To remove radioactive waste

Question 17

What is the primary fissionable isotope used in commercial nuclear reactors?

Accepted Answer

Uranium-235

Answer

Uranium-238

Answer

Plutonium-239

Answer

Thorium-232

Question 18

Which advanced nuclear reactor design focuses on minimizing long-lived radioactive waste by producing isotopes with shorter lifespans?

Accepted Answer

Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)

Answer

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

Answer

Fast Neutron Reactor (FNR)

Question 19

Which type of nuclear reactor utilizes heavy water as a moderator and coolant?

Accepted Answer

CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium)

Answer

BWR (Boiling Water Reactor)

Answer

RBMK (Chernobyl-type Graphite-Moderated Reactor)

Answer

PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor)

Question 20

What is a key characteristic of a breeder reactor?

Accepted Answer

Produces more fuel (in the form of fissile isotopes) than it consumes

Answer

Requires a moderator to slow down neutrons

Answer

Operates at very high temperatures

Answer

Uses uranium as its primary fuel (Breeder reactors typically use a mix of uranium and plutonium isotopes)

Question 21

What is the purpose of a control rod in a nuclear reactor?

Accepted Answer

Absorb neutrons to control the fission rate and reactor power

Answer

Cool the reactor

Answer

Remove waste products

Answer

Generate heat

Question 22

Which of the following is a type of small modular reactor (SMR)?

Accepted Answer

NuScale (US-based design using small, self-contained modules)

Answer

AP1000 (Large, conventional pressurized water reactor)

Answer

EPR (European pressurized water reactor)

Answer

VVER (Russian-designed pressurized water reactor)

Question 23

What is the future potential of thorium-based nuclear reactors?

Accepted Answer

Reduced waste production and increased safety due to the absence of long-lived radioactive isotopes in the spent fuel

Answer

Faster construction times

Answer

Lower operating costs

Answer

Higher power output