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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
What change takes place in a nuclear fusion reaction?
In a nuclear fusion reaction, two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This energy is generated by the conversion of mass into energy, following Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2.
Where does the sun's nuclear fusion occur?
The sun's nuclear fusion occurs in its core, where high temperatures and pressures allow hydrogen atoms to combine and form helium, releasing energy in the process. This energy is what fuels the sun and provides heat and light to our solar system.
How much money do people pay for nuclear energy if the nuclear power plant dies?
If a nuclear power plant were to be decommissioned or shut down, the costs for decommissioning and managing the spent nuclear fuel can run into billions of dollars. These costs are typically factored into the overall cost of nuclear energy production and are often covered by a decommissioning fund that the plant operator is required to establish during the operation of the plant.
What is an example of the three steps in energy transformation?
An example of the three steps in energy transformation is the conversion of solar energy into electricity. In this process, solar panels capture sunlight (kinetic energy) and convert it into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect (chemical energy). The electricity generated can then be used to power homes and buildings (electrical energy).
What the cost of nuclear energy?
That's not easy to calculate. The price of electricity generated by nuclear energy costs exactly as much as from any other source because distributors don't charge customers as a function of the source of the energy, just what the going rate is. How much you pay for electricity depends a lot on where you live and can vary significantly. I believe my electricity bill is somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-12 cents a kilowatt-hour. The main cost in producing nuclear power comes from building the power plant in the first place. Building a plant is a multi-billion dollar undertaking. Once built, running and maintaining the plant, and the cost of uranium fuel is the other main cost. That said, there are other "costs" to using nuclear energy that aren't easy to calculate. For instance, there is the problem of nuclear waste storage. Nobody has a 100% reliable way to deal with this problem, and even if there was a method, nobody has actually paid one dollar for that cost yet. And that cost will have to be paid eventually. The waste is building up and building up in temporary storage units, and it can't stay there forever. There are other costs, or more exactly risks, such as the dangers of accidents (not very likely in fact), and the danger of dangerous nuclear materials getting into the hands of our enemies. These don't have any cost, unless they actually happen, in which case the cost could be extremely high.
Another cost that has to be faced after the end of the plant's life is dismantling the plant as far as possible and then making safe the remaining parts, chiefly the reactor vessel and its core components, which will always be unsafe to work on.
On the other hand, these costs are balanced by the cost of continuing to produce our electricity by burning coal, which emits massive amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. If the worst fears about global warming come true, the cost of NOT using nuclear energy as a carbon-free source of energy could huge! But nobody can tell for sure. See link below for a review of plant costs for projected new plants
What type of power plant uses heat from underground to make electricity?
A geothermal power plant uses heat from the Earth's underground to generate electricity. This heat can be harnessed through wells or geothermal heat pumps to produce steam, which drives turbines connected to generators to generate electricity. Geothermal energy is a renewable and sustainable energy source that produces low emissions.
What energy source comes from splitting up atoms?
Nuclear energy is generated by splitting atoms in a process called nuclear fission. This releases a significant amount of heat energy, which can be harnessed to generate electricity in nuclear power plants.
Energy from supply in about 70 percent of the generation of electricity in the US?
fossil fuels
Answer 2:
This is roughly the proportion produced by fossil fuels, ie coal plus oil plus natural gas. Nuclear is about 20 percent and hydro about 7 percent, with small amounts of other renewables
Where can atomic energy be found?
Atomic energy can be found in the nucleus of atoms, particularly in isotopes that are unstable and undergo nuclear reactions such as fission or fusion. This energy is harnessed in nuclear power plants to generate electricity. Additionally, atomic energy is present in natural sources such as the sun and radioactive elements in the Earth's crust.
How does nuclear energy transfer energy to the atom?
Nuclear energy is released through the process of nuclear fission, where the nucleus of an atom is split into two smaller nuclei. This process releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat, which can be harnessed to produce electricity in nuclear power plants.
What is the original name of nuclear reactor?
The original name of a nuclear reactor is an "atomic pile". The term was first used by Enrico Fermi to describe the experimental setup of the first controlled nuclear chain reaction in Chicago during the Manhattan Project in the 1940s.
Do nuclear power plants generate more or less air pollution than fossil fuel plants?
A power plant uses fossil fuels to produce the energy. When the fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal is burned it releases chemicals into the air. Fossil fuels themselves don't cause pollution because they are objects in the ground. The fuels are burned inside the power plants which is where the chemicals and pollution comes from. The power plant doesn't cause pollution either because it simply takes the energy produced and distributes it. The pollution is caused during the chemical reaction of the heat of fire reacting with the petroleum fumes or the coal rocks. The chemicals and gas are simply products. So for a straight forward answer neither one produces pollution. The pollution comes from the chemical reaction. But in regards as to where the pollution come from it comes from the power plants because the fossil fuels don't give off pollution.
What is fusion and how does power the sun?
Fusion is a nuclear process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. In the sun, the primary fusion process is the combination of hydrogen nuclei to form helium, releasing energy in the form of light and heat. This continuous fusion reaction fuels the sun's brightness and heat output.
What does the generator in the nuclear power station do?
The generator in a nuclear power station converts the mechanical energy from the turbine, which is driven by steam created in the reactor, into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. This electrical energy is then sent out to power the grid and supply electricity to homes and businesses.
Where does the power come from in the use of nuclear fuels?
Energy contained in bonds within a nucleus that is converted to kinetic energy.
Is this nuclear energy source practical for use in business home or schools today?
Yes, nuclear energy can be a practical source for businesses, homes, and schools due to its reliability and efficiency in generating large amounts of electricity. However, the perceived risks associated with nuclear accidents and waste disposal may deter some from adopting it on a wider scale. It is essential to weigh the benefits against the potential challenges when considering nuclear energy as an option.
How easy is it to convert nuclear energy into a usable type of energy?
Uranium minerals are not so rare; also uranium exist in sea water, soils, granite. But very large ore deposits are only in some countries. Uranium is discovered generally by radiometric prospecting.
What accurately describes a trade-off of using nuclear energy to produce electricity?
A trade-off of using nuclear energy to produce electricity is the generation of radioactive waste, which requires secure long-term storage to prevent environmental contamination. While nuclear energy is a low-carbon energy source, the potential for accidents, such as meltdowns, poses significant safety risks. Additionally, the high upfront costs of building nuclear power plants can be a deterrent compared to other energy sources.
What category does nuclear energy falls into?
Nuclear energy falls into the category of alternative energy sources, as it provides a clean and efficient way to generate electricity without greenhouse gas emissions.
Can exposure to radiation from working in nuclear power cause parkinsons disease?
Radiation has been known to cause neurological disorders. Parkinsons disease is therefore a risk of being developed in certain people who are exposed to the radiation. This applies to those who are exposed to the radiation more than others.
Where can the resource for nuclear energy be found?
Are you asking for a resource for information about nuclear energy, or are you asking about a resource in nature which can provide energy from nuclei?
For a resource for information, start with the Hyperphysics website at Georgia State University in the US. Search for 'hyperphysics nuclear energy'. Lots of short, linked, explanations.
The natural resource which is most commonly used in nuclear powered electrical generating stations is uranium. Uranium is mined in a variety of places including North American, Africa, and Asia.
What nuclear reaction happens when two small nuclei?
When two small nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, it is known as nuclear fusion. This process releases a tremendous amount of energy, as predicted by Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2. Fusion reactions, such as those occurring in the Sun, have the potential to provide a nearly limitless source of clean energy.
What is one of the source of the nuclear threat in the Russian Domain?
One of the sources of the nuclear threat in the Russian Domain is the large nuclear arsenal maintained by Russia, including intercontinental ballistic missiles and other delivery systems. The potential for nuclear proliferation and the risk of accidents or unauthorized use also contribute to the nuclear threat in the region.
What goes up a power plant stack?
Smoke, hot air, and various pollutants are typically emitted from a power plant stack. These byproducts are released as a result of burning fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas to generate electricity.
