Chapter 23, Problem 52A

In the power plant of a nuclear submarine, the temperature of the water in the reactor is above $100°C$. How is this possible?

To determine

To explain: Possibility of water temperature in the reactor of nuclear submarines to be above

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Boiling point is that temperature at which a substance changes its state from liquid to gas at that particular pressure.

The water in the reactor is at a pressure more than the atmospheric pressure and as pressure increases, the molecules of the substancecomescloser to each other and, it requires more energy to expand to the gaseous state. So, the temperature required to change the state increases and hence the boiling point of water increases with an increase in pressure on it.

So, boiling point of the water increases. So, water is present in liquid state above

Conclusion:

Water in the reactor of nuclear submarines is above because of high pressure in the reactor.