Question

Write a detailed explanation of how a nuclear power plant generates electricity. Include concepts from the lessons(energy and power and the physics of explosion; atoms and heat; gravity, force, space; Nuclei and radioactivity; chain-reactions, nuclear reactors, and atomic bombs; electricity and magnetism) on heat, energy, radiation, isotopes, electric and magnetic fields. Your answer should include a detailed explanation of the types of energy involved (kinetic, rotational, chemical, thermal, etc.).

Answer 1

In a nuclear power plant, U-235 is used as a nuclear fuel which is first converted into fissionable Plutonium using enrichment process. Now rods of this nuclear fuel are suspended in a nuclear chamber which is covered with concrete. Now energy is released due to fission of nuclear fuel as a thermal neutron is used to bombard one nucleus of fuel. Thermal neutron means slow moving neutron which is obtained with the help of heavy water or Cadmium. Graphite is used to absorb extra neutrons produced to to convert uncontrolled chain reaction into controlled chain reaction. Now thermal energy created in the nuclear chamber is transferred with the help of coolant(liquid nitrogen) from nuclear chamber to a condenser where water is converted to steam using this heat. Now this pressurized steam is used to run turbine which is coupled with an electric generator which finally convert this heat energy to mechanical and than to electric energy. condensed steam is recycled to condenser.