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

Phase difference between incident and reflected waves, What do you mean by ...

What do you mean by the phase difference between incident and reflected waves at a) an open end and b) closed end? What happens to the fundamental frequency of a stretched strin

Determine the magnitude and direction of emf, A single turn coil of radius ...

A single turn coil of radius 5cm is placed on a plane paper and magnetic flux, directed perpendicularly out of the paper changes according to φ = 11t 2 + 7t + 15. Determine the ma

Vernier caliper, Write the expetiment of vernier caliper?

Write the expetiment of vernier caliper?

Second law of black hole dynamics, Second law of black hole dynamics ...

Second law of black hole dynamics Along with black-hole interactions, or interactions among normal matter and black holes, the total of the surface areas of all black holes i

Vertical circular motion, Vertical Circular Motion A mass is in circul...

Vertical Circular Motion A mass is in circular motion within the vertical plane. We show the weight and force exerted through the tension within the string.

Coil length of motor , Relationship among current, voltage, Torque,speed,co...

Relationship among current, voltage, Torque,speed,coil diameter,coil length of motor and if any of the above changes how other parameters get affected. Ans) The maximum torque h

Explain Fusion Reaction, Fusion Reaction: In nuclear fusion light nucle...

Fusion Reaction: In nuclear fusion light nuclei are brought together to form a relation heavier nucleus. They energy free in nuclear fusion is larger than that free in fission.

An experiment with two spikes, An experiment with two spikes Use the dr...

An experiment with two spikes Use the drill for a rotation machine as in the above experiment. Unite two spikes by attaching the point end of every to the end of a 15 cm length

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