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nuclear fission
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When and atom's nucleus is split in 2, a large amount of energy is released. The energy is heat and light energy. A very small amount of matter contains a very LARGE amount of energy. This energy, when let out slowly, can be used to generate electricity. When it is let out all at once, it can create a large explosion.
Fission in nuclear power plants
Uranium is mined out of the earth and processed into tiny pellets that are packed into giant rods that are then put into a nuclear power plant's core reactor.
Inside the reactor of an atomic power plant, uranium atoms are split apart by a neutron hitting the nucleus of a heavy atom such as plutonium and splitting it in 2 in a controlled chain reaction.
In a chain reaction, particles released by the splitting of the atom go off and strike other atoms. In nuclear power plants, rods of uranium are used to keep the splitting regulated so it doesn't go too fast.
If the reaction is not controlled, you could have an atomic bomb.
The reaction also creates radioactive material. This material could hurt people if it is released, so it is kept in a solid form.
Concrete walls are put into place to isolate accidents.
The chain reaction gives off heat energy that boils water in the core of the reactor.
This water is sent to the heat exchanger where it heats another set of pipes filled with water to make steam which turns a turbine to generate electricity.
So, instead of burning a fuel, nuclear power plants use the chain reaction of atoms splitting to change energy into electricity eventually.
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Question: How is uranium prepared to fuel a power plant reactor?
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presentation and design by ryan ziegler
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