Alert

The NRC is shutdown due to the lapse in appropriations. Exempted activities to maintain critical health and safety activities and progress on critical activities, including activities outlined in Executive Order 14300, as described in the OMB Approved NRC Lapse Plan will continue.

Fuel temperature coefficient of reactivity

The change in reactivity per degree of change in the temperature of nuclear fuel. The physical property of fuel pellet material (uranium-238) that causes the uranium to absorb more neutrons away from the fission process as fuel pellet temperature increases. This acts to stabilize power reactor operations. This coefficient is also known as the Doppler coefficient.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, March 09, 2021