LetStudy — Cambridge exam practice

M/J · 5054/22 · 2025 · Q89 marks · sit it in its paper

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Theory: answer all nine questions. Show working and units. For drawings or plotted graphs, upload a clear photo of your sketch on the supplied figure.

Fig. 8.1 is a diagram of a nuclear reactor.

Nuclear fission occurs within the fuel rods which become hotter as a result. The thermal energy is transferred to the coolant circulating around the rods.

(a)Complete Table 8.1 with the purposes of concrete shielding, control rods and moderator. The container vessel's purpose is supplied.

Fig. 8.1 — see the question text for what it shows

Table 8.1 — see the question text for what it shows

Answer guidance

Complete Fill in every gap. A partly completed answer usually scores partly.

[3 marks]

(b)Describe what causes the fission of a single nucleus of uranium-235 in the fuel rods, and describe what happens during the fission.

Answer guidance

Describe Say what happens, in order. Reasons are not required unless the question also asks why.

[3 marks]

The specific heat capacity of the coolant is an important quantity in the design of the reactor.

(c)(i)State what is meant by ‘specific heat capacity’.

Answer guidance

State A short answer. No explanation is needed, and adding one cannot earn extra marks.

[2 marks]

(c)(ii)Suggest and explain whether the coolant should have a large or a small specific heat capacity.

Answer guidance

Suggest More than one answer may be acceptable, so long as it is consistent with the physics.

[1 mark]

Physics (Cambridge)

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