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Why do nuclear fusion reactors produce such large amounts of energy?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The heat produced by controlled nuclear reactions is used to operate steam turbines that generate electricity in nuclear power plants in much the same manner as coal or oil fired fossil fuel power plants, except the nuclear plants do not produce carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases' released by burning fossil fuels.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoif you are talking about the fusion in a Hydrogen bomb.. then when they get 2 hydrogen atoms, one with Atomic Mass of 2 and second with atomic mass of 3.. then they fuse them together to make on Helium atom.. but since He atom has 2 Neutrons only while this atom has 3 neutrons.. 1 neutron goes away from the atom.. and the energy which held that neutron is released.. that is how the fusion happens..
while in fission.. they take heavy atoms (in which the nucleus is unstable), they bombard it with neutrons..then the heavy atom splits into 2 lighter atoms.. and the energy which held the atom together is released..and also this will release some neutrons which will bombard more atoms and split them.. and this goes and goes (chain reaction)..
but about the fusion which happens in the sun I'm not sure.. Save better I won't talk about it.. :)
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoNuclear fusion reactors do not exist yet as we don't know how to build them. All nuclear reactors are nuclear fission reactors.
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How are nuclear reactors useful?
They produce electrical energy. Humans need a lot of that.
Are the nuclear reactors the same processes occurring in the sun and reactors?
No. The sun produces energy by fusion. It is joining hydrogen atoms into larger helium atoms, which releases energy. Man-made nuclear reactors produce energy by fission. They break large atoms into smaller atoms, which also releases energy.
Why do scientists want to build a nuclear fusion reactor?
The expectation is that fusion reactors will provide large amounts of energy, and that they will be relatively environmentally-friendly.
What is a nuclear reactor used for?
Most nuclear reactors are built to produce electric power. A single nuclear reactor can generate enough energy to power 1,200,000 homes around the clock. The vast minority of reactors around the world are operated by power or energy companies that are licensed by the government, or by the government itself. Some smaller reactors are constructed for research, and for the production of nuclear materials used in industry and medicine. Plutonium can also be produced in reactors, and its application as a nuclear fuel or a material for a nuclear weapon is widely known.
What is Uranium energy used for?
Uranium is used as nuclear fuel in nuclear reactors.
What nuclear reaction is currently used to produce nuclear energy in nuclear reactors?
We use nuclear fission in nuclear reactors to tap nuclear energy.
Do nuclear reactors produce energy?
yes
Is nuclear reactors and nuclear energy the same thing?
Nuclear energy is released when U-235 undergoes fission, and that takes place in nuclear reactors (or nuclear weapons). So a reactor is a thing constructed to produce nuclear energy.
How are nuclear reactors useful?
They produce electrical energy. Humans need a lot of that.
Nuclear reaction produce huge amounts of energy by transforming tiny amounts of matter True or false?
It is true that nuclear reaction produce huge amounts of energy by transforming tiny amounts of matter.
What is a force that tends to pull atoms apart?
The force that pulls atoms apart is called fission. Nuclear reactors use controlled fission to produce massive amounts of energy.
Nuclear reactions produce huge amounts of energy by transfroming tiny amounts of matter?
into energy.
Why plutonium is important?
Plutonium is used as nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors to produce electric energy. Also plutonium is indispensable for nuclear weapons.
Are the nuclear reactors the same processes occurring in the sun and reactors?
No. The sun produces energy by fusion. It is joining hydrogen atoms into larger helium atoms, which releases energy. Man-made nuclear reactors produce energy by fission. They break large atoms into smaller atoms, which also releases energy.
What are some advantages of nuclear fission reactors?
1. releases large amounts of energy from small amounts of mass 2. very efficient 3. convert nuclear energy into thermal energy 4. the fuel lasts a long time
Where do you use nuclear energy?
In nuclear fission reactors
How are nuclear reactors different from breeder reactors?
Most nuclear reactors, in general, are designed and built to produce usable energy. The energy helps supply public demand for electricity, or provide propulsion for a combat vessel at sea, especially submarines. Some nuclear reactors are built for research only, to learn more about nuclear power and about better ways to utilize it. Nuclear reactors do not emit atmospheric contaminants like other energy-making processes do. They are not like combustion engines, and require no oxygen to burn for their function. Breeder reactors are a different story indeed. They do produce usable energy, but in too many cases their design purpose is to "breed" more fissionable material during the reaction process.
