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

Why magnetic poles are reversed at a given position, Why magnetic poles are...

Why magnetic poles are reversed at a given position on a deflection magnetometer to take readings? The magnetic moment of the magnet is 30 A-m 2 . Its length 10cm. What is its

What are the applications of heterojunction laser, What are the application...

What are the applications of Heterojunction Laser? Applications of Heterojunction laser: a. Into consumer electronics, semiconductor lasers are utilized in VCD/CD /DVD playe

Surface tension, why does rain water boils faster than fresh water

why does rain water boils faster than fresh water

Determine the maximum generated emf - magnetic field, A rectangular coil of...

A rectangular coil of sides 8cm by 6cm is rotating in a magnetic field such that the longer sides cut the magnetic field. Calculate the maximum generated e.m.f. if there are 6

Types of light in order from lowest to highest frequency, Question Pu...

Question Put the different types of light in order from lowest frequency to highest frequency. Feedback: These are all instances of electromagnetic radiation. Elect

Heat engine in a typical fossil fuel power plant, Draw a picture of the hea...

Draw a picture of the heat engine in a typical fossil fuel power plant and explain how it works. 1.      ___________ is a measure of the electrical potential energy per free ele

Mass enegy relation, write a comrehensive note on mass energa relation

write a comrehensive note on mass energa relation

Internal resistance of circuit, Internal Resistance of Circuit: As ment...

Internal Resistance of Circuit: As mentioned earlier in the section on batteries, every source of electricity, such as a cell or generator has resistance to current flow called

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