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

Atwoods machine, Atwood's machine A weight-and-pulley system is used t...

Atwood's machine A weight-and-pulley system is used to measure the acceleration because of gravity at Earth's surface through measuring the net acceleration of a set of weight

Entropy., 84.1grams of He are compressed reversibly and isothermal at 100.0...

84.1grams of He are compressed reversibly and isothermal at 100.0C from 28.0Litre to 7.37Litres. Calculate the the entropy change in joules/K.

Explain passive network, Passive network:- It can be described as a net...

Passive network:- It can be described as a network, which contains no source of e.m.f. in it.

Explain biot savart law and measure magnetic field, a)  Explain ampere's la...

a)  Explain ampere's law and calculate magnetic field at any point P beacuse of (i)  Infinite long wire (ii)  Inside a solenoid (iii)  Inside a toroid   b) Explain Biot S

Explain state of motion, State of Motion: Inertia is the tendency of an...

State of Motion: Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist alters in its state of motion. State of motion of an object is described by its velocity - speed with a direc

What is the area of the surface of water through, A small bulb is placed at...

A small bulb is placed at the bottom of a tank containing water to a depth of 80 cm. What is the area of the surface of water through which light from the bulb can emerge out? Refr

Determine the speed of ball, Tiger Woods can hit a golf ball with 55 N of f...

Tiger Woods can hit a golf ball with 55 N of force. How hard does the ball hit back on the club? (a) more than 55 N of force, (b) less than 55 N of force, (c) exactly 55 N of force

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