Which radiation is common in the reactor but not found in other plant components?

Which radiation is common in the reactor but not found in other plant components?

• A. Alpha
• B. Neutron
• C. Gamma
• D. Beta

Answer: (B)

Neutrons are produced directly by fission in the reactor core and are the dominant form of radiation there. Their lack of electric charge lets them move through fuel and surrounding materials until they’re slowed, absorbed, or cause further fission. Outside the core, the neutron flux is strongly limited by shielding, so neutrons aren’t typically present in other plant components. In those areas you more commonly deal with gamma rays from activation products and beta radiation from decays, which makes neutrons the distinctive radiation associated with the reactor itself.

Neutrons are produced directly by fission in the reactor core and are the dominant form of radiation there. Their lack of electric charge lets them move through fuel and surrounding materials until they’re slowed, absorbed, or cause further fission. Outside the core, the neutron flux is strongly limited by shielding, so neutrons aren’t typically present in other plant components. In those areas you more commonly deal with gamma rays from activation products and beta radiation from decays, which makes neutrons the distinctive radiation associated with the reactor itself.