question_answer

The coolant used in a nuclear reactor should have high specific heat. Why? 

Answer:

                The purpose of a coolant is to absorb maximum heat with least rise in its own temperature. This is possible only if specific heat is high because \[Q=mc\Delta T\]. For a given value of \[m\] and \[Q\] the rise in temperature \[\Delta T\] will be small if \[c\] is large. This will prevent different parts of the nuclear reactor from getting too hot.