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← ScienceWhich risk increases within fuel rods of a nuclear reactor approaching criticality?
A)Xenon-135 neutron absorption increases rapidly✓
B)Moderator temperature reaches saturation point
C)Control rod effectiveness suffers degradation
D)Coolant void fraction drops dramatically
💡 Explanation
An increase in reactivity causes increased fission, therefore neutron flux rises. Neutron absorption by Xenon-135 products via Iodine-135 decay causes the 'iodine pit' mechanism, rather than rods overheating immediately because thermal inertia exists and saturation temperature is not approached at such speed.
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