Neutron boron

The isotope boron-10 is used as a control for nuclear reactors, as a shield for nuclear radiation, and in instruments used for detecting neutrons. Boron nitride has remarkable properties and can be used to make a material as hard as diamond. The nitride also behaves like an electrical insulator but conducts heat like a metal. 

It is an excellent neutron absorber used to capture neutrons in nuclear reactors to prevent a runaway fission reaction. As the boron rods are lowered into the reactor, they control the rate of fission by absorbing excess neutrons. Boron is also used as an oxygen absorber in the production of copper and other metals,... 

The cross section for reaction (8.50) is 3837 b for 2200 m/s neutrons. Boron also reacts with high-energy neutrons in reactors to produce tritium by the reactions ... 

Alpha and beta particles can be detected directly by a Geiger counter. To detect neutrons, boron trifluoride is added to the gas in the tube. Neutrons react with boron-10 nuclei to produce alpha particles, which can then be detected. 

Determine the mass defect of a thermal neutron - boron lO interaction. 

In an experimental treatment, a person is given boron-10, which is taken up by malignant tumors. When bombarded with neutrons, boron-10 decays by emitting alpha particles that destroy the surrounding tumor cells. Write the balanced equation for the nuclear reaction for this experimental procedure. 

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