Fission of uranium produces heat for electricity with radioactive waste.
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Nuclear power plants generate heat from the controlled fission of uranium-235 nuclei. A neutron splits a U-235 nucleus, releasing energy and more neutrons that sustain a chain reaction, which is moderated and controlled in the reactor core. The heat boils water or heats a coolant that drives a steam turbine to generate electricity. Nuclear plants emit very little CO2 during operation and provide steady baseload power. Their energy density is enormous, with millions of times more energy per kilogram than coal, but this is offset by long-lived radioactive waste and accident risks.
Key ideas: Fission of U-235 by slow neutrons releases about 200 MeV per fission (about 8.2 times 10 to the 13 J per kg of U-235, millions of times more than coal per mass). Chain reaction is controlled by control rods (boron, cadmium) and a moderator (water, graphite, heavy water). Natural uranium is 0.7 percent U-235, reactors enrich to 3 to 5 percent. Coolant carries heat to steam turbines.
Common mistakes and connections: Mistake: confusing reactor with bomb; reactor fuel is too low in enrichment to explode. Fusion (not yet commercial) joins light nuclei. Mass defect gives energy via E equals mc squared. Links to nuclear waste, radiation and binding energy.
Approximate world electricity by source. Nuclear fission supplies about 9 percent with very low operating CO2 emissions. The interactive lesson shows this as a live animation or chart.
Nuclear power supplies about 10 percent of the world's electricity with very low operating carbon emissions.
Fission of uranium produces heat for electricity with radioactive waste.
Nuclear Power is a intermediate topic in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry. It builds on the vocabulary of beginner topics in this area.
Study these earlier topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry first: Renewable Energy Chemistry, Solar Cells, Green Hydrogen.
The next topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry are Nuclear Waste and Radiation Safety.
Yes. The interactive lesson includes a self-check question on Nuclear Power, and the Biochemistry, Environment & Industry quiz draws on every topic in this area.
Nuclear Power is topic 91 of 127 in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry.
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