Control rods are used in nuclear power plants to shut down the plant, but nuclear plants cannot go from producing at full power to producing zero power very quickly. Why?

Because control rods can only stop new fission reactions; they cannot stop existing reactions.

Because there aren’t enough control rods in a typical nuclear power plant.

Because reducing power that quickly would cost nuclear plant operators too much money.

Because doing so would cause diesel generators and pumps to fail.

Because doing so would require a release of radiation into the atmosphere.

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Question 10

1 pts

Nuclear, hydroelectricity and hydrothermal energy all have the following characteristic in common:

All three involve high construction costs for new power plants, but low operating costs.

None of the three is a major energy source in any part of the world.

All three are renewable energy sources.

All three are among the top five fuels used for power generation in China.