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Nuclear fission is generally used to liberate energy that can be harnessed for commercial and military purposes. They are also used to generate specific isotopes of elements.

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A commercial nuclear fission reactor is used to generate electricity in a controlled fission reaction that heats water into steam, and uses the steam to drive turbines, which in turn drive generators, and creates electricity. France is the largest producer of nuclear power (proportionately), with over 75% of its electricity nuclear generated.

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The same power generation principle is used on board some military vessels that use nuclear power plants to generate the energy needed to drive the ships' propulsion systems. Nuclear powered ships can travel over very long distances and for great durations without requiring refueling.

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Some nuclear reactors' principle purpose is to generate specific isotopes of material. The Chalk River fission reactor in Ontario, Canada, for example, generates over 80% of the world's supply of Technetium 99m, which is used worldwide as a radioactive dye in medical imaging.

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Nuclear fission reactions can also be used as thermonuclear bombs, such as the two that the USA detonated in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945. Such fission reactions are deliberately uncontrolled, hence they release all their energy in a fraction of a second, thereby creating an explosion of cataclysmic proportions.
Power source for generating electricity .
Fission is the act of an atom decaying into smaller, more stable atoms. The decay process results in two or more new atoms. When the masses of the new atoms are added up, they do not equal the mass of the original atom. This is because the decay process releases radiation in the form of gamma rays, beta particles, and light. This energy release can be used in a productive manner. For example, in nuclear power reactors, the fissile material's rate of decay can be controlled. This can create a regulated amount of heat. This heat can be used to warm water. The warmed water can be used to turn a steam turbine, which will generate electricity.

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Rubye Mante

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What type of nuclear reaction occurs in a reactor?

Nuclear fission is the primary type of nuclear reaction that occurs in a reactor. It involves the splitting of heavy atomic nuclei to release energy.


What is meant by TNT in nuclear reaction?

TNT (trinitrotoluene) is a conventional explosive used to trigger the beginning of a nuclear reaction in some nuclear weapons. When the TNT detonates, it generates the high temperatures and pressures needed to initiate the fission process in the nuclear material, causing a chain reaction to occur.


What is a example of nuclear reaction?

An example of a nuclear reaction is nuclear fusion, where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This reaction is the process that powers the sun and other stars.


What is the minimum amount of material needed to sustain a nuclear reaction?

The minimum amount of material needed to sustain a nuclear reaction depends on the type of reaction. For example, in a nuclear fission reaction, a critical mass of fissile material is needed to sustain a chain reaction. In a fusion reaction, high temperatures and pressures are needed to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between nuclei.


What type of reaction does the hydrogen bomb use?

The hydrogen bomb uses nuclear fusion, a reaction in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy. This differs from nuclear fission, which is the process used in atomic bombs where heavy atomic nuclei are split into lighter ones.

Related Questions

What are three uses of for potential uses of nuclear fission?

That's really two questions, "What are the uses of Nuclear fission reaction?" and "What are potential uses of nuclear fission?". See the "Related questions" below for answers to each question.


What nuclear reaction is used to the Bataan power plant?

The Bataan nuclear power plant uses nuclear fission as the nuclear reaction to generate electricity. In nuclear fission, the nucleus of an atom is split into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy, which is harnessed to produce electricity.


What is the difference in a nuclear power plant and a nuclear bomb?

A nuclear power plant uses a slow, controlled nuclear chain reaction to heat water and generate electricity. A nuclear bomb uses a very rapid uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction in order to generate a massive explosion.


State wether a nuclear fusion is a chemical reaction or a nuclear reaction?

Nuclear


How do you say nuclear reaction in German?

nuclear reaction= Kernreaktion


Are there any uses of nuclear energy?

Are there any uses of Nuclear Energy? Are there any uses of Nuclear Energy?


Is fusion a type of chemical reaction?

False


What describes a nuclear reaction?

nuclear


What type of reaction supplies the most energy?

fusion nuclear reaction followed by fission nuclear reaction


Is a nuclear reaction a living thing?

A nuclear reaction is not considered a living thing.


Is nuclear energy a fission or fusion reaction?

Nuclear energy is either:fission reaction, orfusion reaction, orradioactive decay


What happens to matter when it is converted in a nuclear reaction?

In a nuclear reaction, matter is converted into energy.