According to the First Law of Thermodynamics, where is the heat produced in a nuclear reactor typically transferred to during its operation?

• A. To the coolant, which then transfers it to a steam generator
• B. To the control rods for energy storage
• C. Directly to the electrical generator
• D. To the reactor containment walls for insulation

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the First Law of Thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. In a nuclear reactor, the energy produced by nuclear fission appears primarily as heat.
2. Identify the main components involved in heat transfer within a nuclear reactor: the fuel rods where fission occurs, the coolant that absorbs the heat, and the steam generator that uses this heat to produce steam.
3. Recognize that the heat generated in the reactor core is absorbed by the coolant, which circulates through the reactor to carry away the thermal energy.
4. Know that the coolant then transfers this heat to a secondary system, typically a steam generator, where water is converted into steam to drive turbines for electricity generation.
5. Conclude that the heat is not stored in control rods, nor transferred directly to the electrical generator or reactor containment walls, but rather to the coolant, which then passes it to the steam generator.