Real-Life Math
You are a nuclear power plant engineer from the U.S. You are working
at a similar type of reactor in Canada. It is called a pressurized water reactor
(PWR) because it uses water in its system.
Currently, you are checking
the temperatures in the reactor coolant system. The reactor heats water that
passes upward past the fuel assemblies. You know that the water should be
raised from a temperature of about 530 F to 590 F.
You look at the
2 gauges to verify your figures. The temperatures are given in Celsius.
"A
nuclear power engineer needs to use math frequently," says Joseph Gonyeau.
Gonyeau is a senior nuclear power engineer in Minnesota. "Typically algebra,
geometry, solid geometry, trigonometry and -- less frequently -- differential
equations are used."
The gauges indicate that the temperature of the
water is being raised from 277 C to 310 C. Is this the correct temperature
change?
Remember: To change Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 9, divide
by 5 and then add 32.