Week 1: Reactor Physics Flashcards
1
Q
What is the definition of pcm?
A
per cent mille, 10^-5
2
Q
What is the definition of reactivity?
A
Reactivity is the change in neutron population from one generation to the next - denoted as rho.
3
Q
What is the definition of k_eff?
A
The ratio of the number of neutrons resulting from fission in each generation to the total number lost by both absorption and leakage in the preceding generation.
Greater than 1 - supercritical (reactivity increasing)
Equal to 1 - critical (stable)
Less than 1 - subcritical (reactivity decreasing)
4
Q
How do you convert from k_eff to rho? From rho to k_eff?
A
rho = (k_eff - 1) / k_eff
k_eff = 1 / (1-rho)
