Define the nuclear power, Physics

Assignment Help:

Define the Nuclear Power

As an energy source, nuclear power is an alternative to fossil fuels.  Controlled nuclear chain reactions are used to generate electricity in a safe manner in nuclear power plants. The fuel used in nuclear power plants consists of uranium: U-238 and U-235. U-235 undergoes fission and releases a tremendous amount of energy, triggering other atoms to split, if the uranium is concentrated in a tight ball.  Control rods are made of good neutron absorbers such as boron. The control rods are lowered into the fuel to slow down the fission reaction. They absorb some of the neutrons produced by the fission reactions so that there are fewer neutrons available to start othesr reactions. This keeps the overall reaction under control.

A gas or water is used as a coolant. The coolant carries heat from the reactor to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger contains water which is heated to form steam. The steam moves a turbine which in turn drives a generator. The generator produces electricity.

One major downside to using nuclear fuel to power electric generating power plants is the spent fuel that must be dealt with, since the waste products of the fission reactions are still radioactive.  Much of the radioactive waste material has a half-life of thousands of years.  Safe storage of these materials is of major concern, because of the possibility of leaks, and they pose a long-term environmental pollution problem.

To calculate the energy produced during a nuclear fission or fusion reaction, we must first calculate the mass lost during the reaction. We then use Einstein’s famous equation of E = mc2 to calculate the energy produced during the reaction.


Related Discussions:- Define the nuclear power

Explain simple pendulum, If a great point-mass is removed by a weightless, ...

If a great point-mass is removed by a weightless, inextensible and perfectly flexible string from a rigid support, then this arrangement is known as a simple pendulum.

Determine the potential energy of the object, An object with a mass of 5 ki...

An object with a mass of 5 kilograms is a distance of 5 meters above the surface of the earth.  If the acceleration because of gravity is 10 meters per second squared, the pote

Determine the relative permeability of the cast steel, A closed magnetic ci...

A closed magnetic circuit of cast steel have a 6cm long path of cross-sectional area 1 cm 2 and a 2 cm path of cross-sectional area 0.5cm 2 . A coil of 200 turns is wound ar

Calculate the final speed of skater - speed and distance, A 50 kilogram ice...

A 50 kilogram ice skater glides across the ice in a straight line at 7 meters per second.  If she bends down and scoops up a 20 kilogram child standing on the ice, what will b

Explain battery powered vehicles, Battery powered vehicles Used DC seri...

Battery powered vehicles Used DC series motors are the first choice. Recently AC motors with frequency changers are being considered.

State the uses of zinc sulphide, State the uses of Zinc sulphide Zinc s...

State the uses of Zinc sulphide Zinc sulphide has a lattice constant of 0.596nm . The sulfide ions are quite big (atomic radius 184 pm) relative to the size of the zinc ions (7

How then do i recognize a product''s quality, How then do I recognize a pro...

How then do I recognize a product's quality? There are some ways. The status and name of the company making the product is significant and its geographical location. Several co

Define types of sound waves, According to their frequencies, waves are sepa...

According to their frequencies, waves are separated into three categories: (1) Audible or sound waves : Range 20 Hz to 20 KHz. These are formed by vibrating bodies like as voc

Force mc falling time mars, Surface gravity on Mars is roughly 1/3 that of ...

Surface gravity on Mars is roughly 1/3 that of the Earth. Consider you drop a rock initially at rest from a height Hm on Mars and it takes a time tg to hit the ground. From what he

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd