How do nuclear power plants create energy?

Answer 1

Nuclear power plants use a radioactive fuel, usually Uranium-235. This fuel is placed inside tubes inside a reactor. Inside this core neutrons are bombarding the Uranium-235 splitting the atoms which gives off a heat as well as other neutrons. Those neutrons go to split other atoms creating more heat and more neutrons. This loop continues creating heat and neutrons.

The heat warms up the water around the core to around 330 degrees Celsius. The water, which is under pressure so it can't change into steam, is taken from the core in pipes to a steam generator.

The hot water in the pipes heats the cool water outside the pipes causing it to boil and steam is produced. (The hot water, now cooled, returns to the core)

The steam rises and goes through more pipes to a turbine. The steam turns this turbine which turns generator. The turning generator produces electricity that goes out through the power lines.

The steam is then sent to a condenser where cold water from the cooling towers is pumped in through pipes. The cool water makes the steam turn back into water by through the process of condensation and the newly condensed water is pumped back into the steam generator.

Answer 2

Nuclear power plants use a process called nuclear fission, where the nucleus of an atom is split, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat. This heat is used to generate steam, which drives turbines connected to generators, producing electricity.