AIIMS 2019 Physics Nuclear Reactors Assertion Reason Question
Assertion: Heavy water is used to slow down neutron in nuclear reactor Reason: It does not react with slow speed neutron and mass of deuterium is comparable to the neutron
If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
If assertion is true but reason is false.
If both assertion and reason are false.
Correct Answer
Detailed Explanation
The assertion is true because heavy water (D₂O) is indeed used in nuclear reactors to slow down neutrons, enhancing the likelihood of fission reactions. However, the reason is false; while deuterium (the hydrogen isotope in heavy water) has a mass comparable to that of a neutron, it does interact with slow neutrons, primarily through elastic scattering, which is essential for moderation. Option A is incorrect because the reason does not correctly explain the assertion, while option B is incorrect as the reason is not true. Option D is incorrect since the assertion is valid.
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