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Every time a nucleus of U-235 or Pu-239 fissions, energy is released which initially results in the fission products (ie the atoms of the two lighter elements formed in the fission) being forced apart with high kinetic energy. As they are in a matrix of the fuel itself, this kinetic energy is soon turned into thermal energy as the fragments quickly slow down through friction. Thus the fuel gets hot and transfers heat to the flow of water or gas which is called the coolant, since it prevents the fuel becoming overheated.
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What happens in a nuclear reactor to create electricity?
Nuclear Fission
What is a nuclear reactor meltdown?
A nuclear meltdown is an informal term for a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating. A meltdown occurs when the heat generated by a nuclear reactor exceeds the heat removed by the cooling systems to the point which at least one nuclear fuel plate exceeds its melting point.
What is split in a nuclear reactor to create energy?
In a nuclear reactor, the process of nuclear fission splits the nucleus of certain atoms, typically uranium-235 or plutonium-239, to create energy. This splitting of atomic nuclei releases a tremendous amount of heat energy, which is then used to generate electricity through steam turbines.
Why does the sun create more heat than a nuclear bomb or nuclear reactor?
Because of the size of the sun, there is not enough chemicals on earth to compare to what the sun holds, besides no one has ever gone to the sun to do research on it.
What happens if a nuclear reactor is not cooled?
A nuclear reactor generates heat by controlled nuclear fission. Primary coolant carries this heat away to make steam. If a reactor is not cooled, it will overheat. Even if it is shut down immediately, the radioactive fragments of fission in the core will still be undergoing radioactive decay. This will continue to generate a lot of what we call decay heat. This heat can be sufficient to melt the metal that forms the fuel elements if cooling is not maintained, and the result is a nuclear meltdown with various consequences.
What is the function of a nuclear reactor of a nuclear plant?
simply, the nuclear reactor is the source of heat (or steam) for the nuclear power plant.
What does a nuclear reactor heat?
Water.
What happens in a nuclear reactor to create electricity?
Nuclear Fission
What is the difference between nuclear reactor and nuclearpower plant?
a nuclear reactor converts binding energy into heat. a nuclear power plant uses a nuclear reactor to generate electricity.
What is the purpose a nuclear reactor?
To produce heat.
How does a nuclear reactor eliminate heat?
Heat is eliminated through use of reactor coolant passing over the nuclear fuel in the primary coolant loops.
What substance is used in a nuclear reactor to absorb heat released from the reactor?
In most reactors in the world, water is used to absorb heat released from the reactor.
What is the only thing that a nuclear reactor can do?
Produce heat (energy) from nuclear fission.
What is a Nuclear reactor moisture separator?
This is used in the nuclear reactor that is known as Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) in which heat produced by the nuclear fission in the nuclear fuel allows the light water reactor coolant to boil. Then, the nuclear reactor moisture separator is used to increase the dryness of the produced steam before it goes to the reactor steam turbines.
What is a nuclear reactor meltdown?
A nuclear meltdown is an informal term for a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating. A meltdown occurs when the heat generated by a nuclear reactor exceeds the heat removed by the cooling systems to the point which at least one nuclear fuel plate exceeds its melting point.
How do you power generator to create electricity?
The nuclear reactor produces heat which is used to raise steam to feed a steam turbine/generator set
How many methods are there to give heat to the reactor?
If you mean a nuclear reactor, and not a chemical one, there is only one way, and that is by nuclear fission in the fuel
