What form of energy does nuclear power plants make?

Answer 1

A nuclear electrical power generating station is a jarring contrast in the levels of

technology that work together.

-- A controlled nuclear fission reaction is contained in a heavily isolated

and protected core, where it continuously generates huge quantities of

heat at a high rate.

-- The heat is transferred to a liquid in pipes surrounding the core,

and is carried away from the core.

At this point, the technology steps back a couple of centuries:

-- The heat is used to boil water.

-- The steam blows through the vanes of a turbine, spinning an electrical generator.

Answer 2

The nuclear fission in the fuel produces thermal energy which is passed from the fuel to the cooling water, which then produces steam for the steam turbine. That part of the process is the same as in a coal fired plant.

Answer 3

Nuclear power plants use nuclear energy, obtained from nuclear fission in the nuclear fuel, to get:

• Thermal energy (e.g. as steam or hot water) to be used in desalination or district heating, or
• Mechanical energy to be used in powering ships and submarines, or
• Electrical energy to be used in a wide variety of end-user applications.
  

Answer 4

Nuclear power plants convert nuclear energy into heat. This is typically used to boil water, and the steam drives turbines, converting the heat energy into electrical energy.

Answer 5

Nuclear energy is converted into heat energy, which is then converted into mechanical energy, and finally into electrical power, put on the grid and converted into whatever we use if it for.