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control rod

control rod

3 6.7
A metal rod inserted into a nuclear reactor to absorb neutrons and slow the reaction
  • noun
  • /kənˈtroʊl rɑd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : barra de control
  • The same goes for the mechanisms and structure that raise and lower control rods.
  • inserting control rod

The Chinese reactor also uses control rods that require power to be held up.

Examples

  • The chain reaction is regulated through the use of control rods made of materials that absorb neutrons.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The control rods are dropping, Lieutenant.

  • The goal was to get this control rod all the way into the reactor.

  • As I understand it, this is what the control rods are for.

    Blog text (20)
  • The Chinese reactor also uses control rods that require power to be held up.

  • What happens is this: When the core is put on-line- when it's activated- the control rods are lifted out.

  • I think even if the control rods completely failed, the boron would prevent a critical reaction.

    Blog text (20)
  • Scramming a reactor just means inserting control rods into the reactor.

    Blog text (25)
  • There are 400 fuel assemblies containing 97 uranium control rods, each rod 3.66 m long.

    Blog text (20)
  • The control rod was carefully inserted into the reactor to adjust the reaction rate.

Synonyms

absorber
vscontrol rod
  • Specialized
8 7.8

A material in a nuclear reactor that takes in neutrons to slow the reaction

is a metal bar inserted or removed to adjust the reactor's reaction rate

Surface Forms

control rod singular
control rods plural

Morphology

control + rod

The noun is a straightforward compound: 'control' (to regulate) + 'rod' (a long straight piece), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a rod used for control. While the specific technical details (nuclear reactor function) are specialized, the basic compositional meaning is immediately transparent and cross-linguistically plausible.

Etymology

Control rod comes from the simple image of a metal rod pushed into a reactor to control its power. So, the rod absorbs tiny particles that keep the reaction going, and pushing it in 'slows down' or 'stops' the reaction, which is why the name means a rod used to control the reactor's power.