The difference between a nuclear reactor and an atomic bomb is that
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UPSC Civil Services preparation
- Ano chain reaction takes place in nuclear reactor while in the atomic bomb there is a chain reaction
- Bthe chain reaction in nuclear reactor is controlledCorrect
- Cthe chain reaction in nuclear reactor is not controlled
- Dno chain reaction takes place in atomic bomb while it takes place in nuclear reactor
Explanation
The correct answer is B because of the nature of the chain reaction in both systems.
In a nuclear reactor, the chain reaction is controlled using control rods and moderators. These ensure that for every fission event, only one subsequent neutron goes on to cause another fission, maintaining a steady and safe release of energy for power generation.
In an atomic bomb, the chain reaction is uncontrolled. It is designed to be a runaway process where the number of fission events increases exponentially in a fraction of a second, leading to a massive and violent explosion.
Therefore, the fundamental difference lies in the control mechanism of the chain reaction.
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