Which one of the following metals is alloyed with sodium to transfer h

Which one of the following metals is alloyed with sodium to transfer heat in a nuclear reactor ?

Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Strontium
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
Liquid metals, particularly alloys of Sodium and Potassium (NaK), are used as coolants in certain types of nuclear reactors, especially fast breeder reactors, because they have high thermal conductivity and remain liquid over a wide temperature range. The NaK alloy is used to transfer heat from the reactor core. Therefore, Potassium is the metal alloyed with sodium for this purpose among the given options.
Sodium-Potassium (NaK) alloy is a common liquid metal coolant in nuclear reactors due to its excellent heat transfer properties.
NaK alloys are eutectic, meaning they have a lower melting point than either sodium or potassium individually, making them liquid at room temperature (for certain compositions). This is advantageous for starting up and shutting down the reactor.
Exit mobile version