CONTROL RODS Meaning and
Definition
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Control rods are crucial components in nuclear reactors that play a vital role in controlling the rate of fission reactions and maintaining their stability. These rods are generally cylindrical in shape and are composed of materials known as neutron poisons, such as boron or cadmium. Control rods are inserted or removed from the reactor core to adjust the neutron flux and regulate the fission process.
The primary function of control rods is to absorb excess neutrons within the reactor core, which consequently reduces the number of neutrons available to cause further fission reactions. This absorption capability allows operators to control the power output of the reactor and prevent it from becoming too high or too low. By inserting the control rods deeper into the core, the reactivity within the reactor decreases, resulting in a decrease in power output, while withdrawing the control rods increases reactivity and power.
Control rods play a critical safety role in nuclear reactors as well. In the event of an emergency or abnormal condition, the control rods can be rapidly inserted into the core to cause a shutdown of the reactor, known as a SCRAM (Safety Control Rod Axe Manoeuvre). This ensures the immediate cessation of the fission reactions and prevents the escalation of any potentially hazardous situations.
In summary, control rods are fundamental devices in nuclear reactors that regulate the rate of fission reactions, control power output, and ensure the safety of the reactor by rapidly shutting it down when necessary.
Etymology of CONTROL RODS
The term "control rods" is a compound word made up of "control" and "rods". Here is the etymology of each:
1. Control:
The word "control" originates from the Latin word "contrarotulus", meaning "a countercheck". This evolved into the Old French word "contrerole", which referred to a duplicate roll or register used for cross-checking. Eventually, it entered Middle English as "countroll" or "controle" with the same meaning. Over time, the spelling changed to "control", and in the 16th century, it acquired the sense of managing or exercising authority over something.
2. Rods:
The term "rods" comes from the Old English word "rod" or "rodd", which originally denoted a straight, slim stick or pole, often made of wood.
