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Name a material used as shielding in a nuclear reactor. - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 1 - 2005
Question 1
Name a material used as shielding in a nuclear reactor.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Name a material used as shielding in a nuclear reactor. - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 1 - 2005
Step 1
Name a material used as shielding in a nuclear reactor.
Answer
A commonly used material for shielding in a nuclear reactor is lead. Lead is effective at blocking radiation due to its high density and atomic number, which helps in attenuating gamma radiation.
Another widely used material is concrete. Concrete can be formulated with additives like barite or hematite to enhance its shielding properties against neutron and gamma radiation. The combination of these materials provides significant protection in nuclear facilities.