Reactor Theory (Neutron Characteristics)
DOE-HDBK-1019/1-93
OBJECTIVES
TERMINAL OBJECTIVE
2.0
Given the necessary information for calculations, EXPLAIN basic concepts in reactor
physics and perform calculations.
ENABLING OBJECTIVES
2.1
DEFINE the following terms:
a.
Atom density
d.
Barn
b.
Neutron flux
e.
Macroscopic cross section
c.
Microscopic cross section
f.
Mean free path
2.2
EXPRESS macroscopic cross section in terms of microscopic cross section.
2.3
DESCRIBE how the absorption cross section of typical nuclides varies with neutron
energy at energies below the resonance absorption region.
2.4
DESCRIBE the cause of resonance absorption in terms of nuclear energy levels.
2.5
DESCRIBE the energy dependence of resonance absorption peaks for typical light and
heavy nuclei.
2.6
EXPRESS mean free path in terms of macroscopic cross section.
2.7
Given the number densities (or total density and component fractions) and microscopic
cross sections of components, CALCULATE the macroscopic cross section for a mixture.
2.8
CALCULATE a macroscopic cross section given a material density, atomic mass, and
microscopic cross section.
2.9
EXPLAIN neutron shadowing or self-shielding.
2.10
Given the neutron flux and macroscopic cross section, CALCULATE the reaction rate.
2.11
DESCRIBE the relationship between neutron flux and reactor power.
Rev. 0
Page vii
NP-02
