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Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy covers technology of reactors, different types of reactors, their history and development, exploitation in different countries, operating experiences, problems of nuclear waste.
6,180 Questions
The majority of nuclear energy on Earth is produced in the core of the sun through nuclear fusion reactions. Once this energy reaches Earth's surface, it is used for electricity generation in nuclear power plants, medical applications such as cancer treatments using radiation therapy, and research purposes like nuclear physics experiments.
Is plutonium produced by the fission of uranium?
Plutonium is a completely different chemical element. It has the chemical symbol Pu and the atomic number 94 (meaning there are 94 protons in its nucleus), and all of its isotopes are radioactive. A link is provided to the Wikipedia article on Plutonium.
What can be used to absorb neutrons to control the chain reaction during nuclear fission?
Materials such as boron, cadmium, and hafnium can be used as neutron absorbers to regulate the nuclear fission chain reaction. These materials effectively absorb neutrons, preventing them from initiating additional fission reactions and helping to control the overall process.
How does nuclear energy extracted from the ground?
Nuclear energy is not extracted from the ground like fossil fuels. It is generated through a process called nuclear fission in nuclear reactors. Uranium atoms are split in a controlled chain reaction, releasing energy in the form of heat, which is then used to produce electricity.
Why is coolant used in nuclear power station?
Uranium, usually enriched in U-235, in the form of uranium oxide UO2.
most use yellowcake, a uranium oxide, powder in zirconium cans.
Some use uranium ceramics that can run hotter. Others use uranium metal.
In experimental reactors every imaginable form has been tried, including uranium salt solution and uranium/water slurry. In those the fuel was also the primary loop coolant.
Power stations derive electrical energy by extracting the energy from many different
sources. Here are some that we can think of right at the moment:
-- coal
-- oil
-- natural gas
-- sunshine
-- fissile substances, like enriched uranium and plutonium
-- wind
-- falling water
-- flowing water
Most use a uranium oxide called yellowcake (because it is yellow) sealed in zirconium cans to prevent fission product contamination of the coolant.
Some use metallic uranium.
Some use uranium and/or plutonium in ceramic pellets.
There are many other ways.
Uranium in the form uranium dioxide, UO2, enriched in U-235 to 4-5 percent, and made into rods 10mm dia encased in zircaloy
- Natural uranium in heavy water moderated reactors like the CANDU.
- 3% to 5% enriched uranium in water moderated reactors.
- 20% to 95% enriched uranium in unmoderated fast reactors like breeders.
What type of nuclear energy is more important for life on earth?
The nuclear energy that is most important for life on Earth is the nuclear fusion that powers the sun. This energy is essential for providing heat and light, which support life on our planet. Nuclear fission, used in nuclear power plants, also plays a role in providing electricity for human activities.
How can nuclear radiation effect living organisms?
Nuclear radiation can damage cells in living organisms, leading to DNA mutations, cell death, and tissue damage. It can cause acute radiation sickness or lead to long-term health effects such as an increased risk of cancer or genetic mutations in future generations. The extent of the impact depends on the dose, duration of exposure, and type of radiation.
What causes the japan nuclear power plant to malfunction?
The malfunction of the Japan nuclear power plant, such as the Fukushima Daiichi plant in 2011, was primarily caused by a combination of a powerful earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The natural disaster damaged the plant's cooling systems, leading to overheating of the reactors and ultimately resulting in nuclear meltdowns and releases of radioactive materials. Regulatory and operational shortcomings also played a role in the accident.
How is nuclear energy extracted from earth?
Talking about nuclear energy.The energy is not extracted from the earth rather the elements are dug out of the earth that are use to make nuclear energy.These elements are called Nuclear fuels.The elements are then taken to the Nuclear plants.The elements are then taken to the reacting chambers.In the chambers the uranium or similar radioactive elements is shot with a helium nucleus.That Helium Nucleus then breaks down uranium and make it excited due to energy absorption.The scientist Albert Einstein gave theory of relativity with the famous equation E=MC^2,so actually in that reaction there is a electron lost and that loss of electrons.Just imagine if you multiply the mass of electron with the square of speed of light you will get a really large number and that is the amount of energy produced.It is really great amount.You can also run a city for years on 1 spoon of uranium.The energy produces in the form of heat and the heat is used to heat up the water and then steam used to rotate a turbine.The turbine then produces the electricity.
The reaction of nuclear fission once started it cannot be stopped until unless lead rods are dipped or kept in the chamber.Water is also used to cool it down.This process can be started using other radioactive elements.
What made the nuclear power plant get destroyed in Japan?
Fukushima Daiichi was destroyed by a loss of coolant accident (LOCA) caused by the tsunami which was caused by the earthquake.
The earthquake caused the three operating units (three were operating, two were shutdown, and one was defueled) to automatically shutdown, as designed. Emergency cooling systems started up, also as designed. 41 minutes later, the tsunami occurred, and was much larger than expected, and it incapacitated the emergency diesel generators and damaged most of the emergency cooling system switchgear.
Battery power remained, and partial emergency cooling continued for awhile, but with no way to recharge the batteries, emergency cooling failed.
Even though the reactors were shutdown and not producing full power, there was decay heat caused by mixed fission byproducts, which accounts for about 7% of full power, for a significant period of time after shutdown. This decay heat is sufficient to overheat the fuel and cause damage unless the fuel is constantly cooled.
The same thing applies to the spent fuel stored in the fuel storage rack in the spent fuel pool. Even though not in the reactor, it still has decay heat which must be removed with fuel pool cooling, cooling that was lost when all power was lost. As a result, the spent fuel also overheated and was damaged.
Along the way, the hot zircalloy cladding on the fuel rods generated hydrogen gas in a reaction with water. Hydrogen gas in the nuclear steam cycle is normally removed with hydrogen recombiners, but they were not available. When you add water to hydrogen in a situation like this, it tends to explode, and it did, damaging parts of the building structure. Note that this was not a nuclear explosion, but it still damaged parts of the building and the systems.
How can nuclear fission be slowed?
Nuclear fission can be slowed by inserting control rods, such as boron or cadmium, into the reactor core. These control rods absorb neutrons, reducing the number available to initiate fission reactions and thus slowing down the rate of fission in the reactor.
What is the word equation of the nuclear reaction in the suns core?
Four protons are fused together to four one helium nucleus The differential strong atomic force is released as energy and gamma radiation. Two of the protons are converted into neutrons, releasing positrons and electron neutrinos.
What is the science behind nuclear power and fission and fusion?
The science behind nuclear power is nuclear physics, and how it describes the loss of binding energy when an atom is split during fission or fused during fusion.
Here is the short explanation... Well, sort of short...
Binding energy (strong atomic force) holds quarks together to form protons and neutrons. There are other energies, such as electromagnetic, weak atomic force, and gravity, but binding energy is the strongest, in the short distance of the atomic nucleus.Binding energy also holds protons and neutrons together to form atomic nuclei. Different amounts of energy are required for different atoms.
When we split an atom into two other lighter atoms, the total energy required to hold the resultant atoms together is less than the original atom. The excess is released as free energy. And other things, but this is the short explanation.
The same thing happens with fusion. When we fuse two light atoms together to form a heavier atom, the energy required to hold the result together is less that the total energy to hold the original two atoms together. Again, the excess is released as free energy.
Now, this may seem contradictory, but it turns out that there is a binding energy curve, starting at hydrogen, peaking quickly at helium, dropping at lithium, starting back up and ascending to a peak at iron, and then gradually descending as we go on up the atomic scale. That is why fusion works for hydrogen, and fission works for uranium.
Why is nuclear radiation useful?
Nuclear radiation is useful in various fields such as medicine for diagnosis and treatment of diseases, energy production through nuclear power plants, and scientific research for understanding the properties of materials and molecules. It allows for non-invasive imaging, reliable energy generation, and insights into the structure and behavior of matter at the atomic level.
What isdifference nuclear fission and nuclear fission?
The difference between Fusion and Fission is that Fission is easier to do and produces more energy than fusion reactions. However fission can be dangerous and is used in Nuclear reactors. Fusion however is safer and produces less energy but safely. It is quite difficult to cause a Fusion reaction however.
What energy source produces largest greenhouse gases?
Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, produces the largest amount of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). These emissions contribute significantly to global warming and climate change. Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- First it should be emphasized that hydrogen and helium are not primary energy sources. They are named as secondary energy sources
- Carbon from coal has limited resources as any fossil fuel (although coal is more abundant than oil and natural gas)
- As for the nuclear fuel, the uranium mining is not the only source for the nuclear fuel. Other sources are:
- as by product from phosphate and gold production industry
- the dismantling of nuclear weapons
- using nuclear breeder reactors
- uranium production from water (Japanese R&D)
- The availability of uranium for uranium fuel persuades some scientists to consider nuclear energy as one of the renewable energy sources.
Why is nuclear fusion a potentially safer energy source?
Fusion reactors are very much safer because-- 1) They can't "run away" 2) They leave few radioactive products when worn out. 3) They have no radioactive spent fuel. 4) They don't become dangerous if anything fails, they just stop.
What is the function of uranium?
Applications of uranium:
- nuclear fuel for nuclear power reactors
- explosive for nuclear weapons
- material for armors and projectiles
- catalyst
- additive for glasses and ceramics (to obtain beautiful green colors)
- toner in photography
- mordant for textiles
- shielding material (depleted uranium)
- ballast
- and other minor applications
Yes, nuclear fusion is the process by which the sun produces energy through the fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium. This process releases vast amounts of energy in the form of light and heat, making it the most plausible explanation for the source of solar energy.
Where does geothermal energy come from nuclear or power plants?
Geothermal energy comes from the Earth's internal heat, not from nuclear power plants. It involves tapping into the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface to generate electricity or for heating applications.
What are the major flaws that led to the disaster in Fukushima Japan?
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency report, issued on June 1, 2011, there were two major flaws.
- The possibility of a great tsunami happening was badly underestimated.
- There was a general lack of effective oversight by the government regulatory agency.
There were many, many minor flaws that contributed to the disaster, but most were the result of one or both of these problems.
What caused the fukushima nuclear power plant explosions?
The explosions were caused by hydrogen gas mixing with the atmosphere in a contained system, and exploding. There are two ways this could happen.
When the tsunami hit, it basically wiped out all the cooling, power, and backup infrastructure at the plant. This caused reactors 1, 2, and 3 to overheat, and the water in the vessels boiled off to some degree. This led to a increased pressure in the pressure vessel from the steam that was being produced, and the pressure had to be released. The boiling water also exposed the fuel rods, however, and the zircaloy cladding reacts with steam, when it gets hot enough. This reaction produces hydrogen gas, which also is vented. The hydrogen mixed with the atmosphere in the reactor buildings, creating an explosive environment.
In these reactors, and also in building 4, where the reactor was not fueled up, the water in the spent fuel pools was not circulating and boiled. This could have exposed fuel rods, and probably did so in building 4. These rods can react with steam just as the rods in the reactor would, with the same result.
How much land area would be covered by solar panels to replace Fukushima?
Fukushima generated 3,400 MW on average.
One of the world's largest solar power plants is Agua Caliente Solar Project, which generates 626 GW·h / yr = 71 MW on average.
So it would take 48 of the world's largest solar power plants to replace the Fukushima plant. Agua Caliente takes up 2,400 acres, so the total amount of land area required to replace Fukushima with solar panels is 2400*48 = 114,500 acres, which is about half the area of Hong Kong, or 132 times the area of the Fukushima plant.
How did the fukushima disaster occur?
There was an earthquake of magnitude 9.0. This is an extremely powerful earthquake, and I know of only one of greater magnitude that has been recorded.
The earthquake was followed by a tsunami. One of the tsunami waves that hit the Fukushima Daiichi plant was 14 meters (about 46 feet) tall. The seawall protecting the plant from tsunamis was only 5.7 meters tall, and this provided almost no protection. The equipment for the backup cooling system was swamped by seawater, and since the power from the electric grid was disrupted, no emergency backup could be established.
The International Atomic Energy Agency report on the accident puts the blame on a lack of foresight by the plant's owner and a lack of effective oversight by the government regulatory agency.
