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There are a few dangers that are inherent in a nuclear reactor. The major danger inherent in a nuclear reactor is the effects of radiation. Radiation poisoning can be extremely deadly and harmful. Other inherent dangers include radioactive waste and the potential catastrophic damage of an accident such as at Chernobyl.
What else can I help you with?
What were some of the uses for the first nuclear reactor?
The very first nuclear reactor was Chicago Pile 1. It was built for research and scientific use. The first nuclear reactor outside of a university was built (at Hanford, Washington) primarily to yield plutonium for the atomic bomb destined for Nagasaki, Japan. Nuclear reactors were built primarily for electrical generation beginning in about 1951.
How are nuclear reactors kept safe?
There are many safety procedures put in place to keep a nuclear reactor safe, first of all control rods are used inside the reactor to stop the fission reaction running out of control and melting the reactor core, constant water(coolant) is kept pumping around the reactor cool and to help soak up some of the neutrons and x-ray scans are used to check that there are no natural cracks inside the reactor.
What are some advantages of a nuclear fission reactor?
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
How can nuclear reactors be dangerous?
The purpose of a nuclear reactor is to create and sustain a fission chain reaction in order to produce heat to make steam to drive turbines and produce electrical power (extremely simplified explanation). A fission chain reaction is the interaction of neutrons with fissile materials (elements that can be fissioned). Some enriched fuel (such as uranium-238) is introduced into the reactor core. It produces neutrons as radiation. If more fissile material is present ("fuel" such as uranium-235), that interaction repeats to make more neutrons, and so on. A nuclear reactor is designed to sustain a fission chain reaction and control the rate at which that reaction occurs. The nuclear core of a reactor, where the nuclear fuel is, needs to be shielded so that the radiation and any radioactive components inside do not escape into the general environment. The primary radiation type inside the core is neutron radiation. One of the best shields for neutron radiation is a hydrogen-dense substance, thus pure water is often used. Water, if circulated in a heat sink system, also serves as a heat-removal method (cooling system). The enclosure for the core and the water pool is a containment vessel made out of something that is airtight and which shields against other kinds of direct radiation. Steel is a common material, perhaps supplemented by concrete and other reinforcement to guard against being damaged by an earthquake, explosion, or an airplane impact (for example). There is usually an outer containment building that encloses the reactor containment vessel itself. This is a sort of "second line of defense" in case the reactor is breached. Containment buildings are designed to withstand extremely high internal pressures (such as superheated steam) and forces of almost any direction and realistic magnitude. The specific shape of buildings at a nuclear plant are part of their function. The concave towers that are so symbolic of nuclear power are a common design for cooling towers (and not the reactor core itself). Domes are a common shape for reactor containment buildings for a variety of reasons that have mostly to do with encouraging steam condensation.
What is the meaning of You can't put too much water in a nuclear reactor?
I have not heard that one. For any design the water capacity is fixed by the size of the vessel and the external circuit. I suppose it may mean that when designing the plant it is best to have more volume available for the primary circuit than the minimum possible, so that there is more thermal capacity to absorb heat in some accident conditions. You are unlikely to want to build more volume into the pressure vessel itself as it would be expensive to do so. The above saying would also tie in with providing more primary/secondary loops, ie four instead of three, to provide better redundancy........ Or maybe it is a phrase from an old Saturday Night Live skit about some unqualified people left in charge of a nuclear reactor after being given the advice "Just remember, You can't put too much water in a nuclear reactor". (The joke is that they debate the two opposite meanings of the phrase).
Which section of a nuclear reactor does nuclear fission occur?
Nuclear fission occurs in the reactor core of a nuclear reactor. This is where nuclear fuel, typically uranium, is arranged in such a way that it sustains a chain reaction of splitting atoms, releasing energy in the process.
What type of radiation does a nuclear reactor emit?
A nuclear reactor primarily emits electromagnetic radiation in the form of gamma rays. These gamma rays are released during the nuclear fission process that occurs in the reactor core. Additionally, reactors may also release some neutron radiation through reactions with the reactor's components.
How many pounds of uranium are in a nuclear reactor?
The quantity depends on: the type of the reactor, power of the reactor, enrichment of uraniu, chemical form of the fuel, etc. For a research reactor some kilograms, for a power reactor more than 100 tonnes/year.
What are some dangers from a nuclear power plant?
if there is a fire the nuclear power plant goes big boom
What were some of the uses for the first nuclear reactor?
The very first nuclear reactor was Chicago Pile 1. It was built for research and scientific use. The first nuclear reactor outside of a university was built (at Hanford, Washington) primarily to yield plutonium for the atomic bomb destined for Nagasaki, Japan. Nuclear reactors were built primarily for electrical generation beginning in about 1951.
Are radioactive isotopes produced in a nuclear reactor?
Yes, radioactive isotopes are produced in a nuclear reactor through the process of nuclear fission, where heavy atomic nuclei are split into smaller fragments. These fragments, some of which are unstable and radioactive, can be used for various purposes such as medical imaging, cancer treatment, and scientific research.
How sodium is used in nuclear reactor?
Some early and some experimental reactors used sodium as the primary coolant.
What is the difference between nuclear power plant and nuclear reactor?
It's really just a matter of degree, all reactors produce some power. Those used in a power plant will produce perhaps 3000 to 5000 Megawatts thermal. Low power reactors producing a few kilowatts are used for experiments, teaching in universities, and for producing radioisotopes by irradiating samples, but reactors in this sort of power level would not be harnessed to produce electricity, the heat produced if large enough would be removed and rejected to the atmosphere or to a water cooling circuit. This makes them simple to operate and to start and stop as required.
Is nuclear power hazadous to people?
the power itself isn't. creating the power is, because, you have a nuclear reactor of some kind, with radioactive parts.
What is the function of graphite in a nuclear reactor?
Graphite is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors to slow down neutrons produced during nuclear fission. Slower neutrons are more likely to cause additional fission reactions, allowing for a sustained nuclear reaction. Graphite is also used as a structural material in some reactor designs.
Where are some nuclear plants located?
Here is a list of some of the nuclear plants in the world:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nuclear_reactorsMaps and locations of all U.S. reactors can be found here: http://www.nukepills.com/nuclear-reactor-maps.htm
Does Canada have nuclear energy?
Canada has 7 nuclear power stations (some with more than one reactor) which produce about 15% of Canada's electrical power.
