structure and working of nuclear energy (100 words)
Answers
The energy source of a nuclear power plant is fission reaction. In fission reaction we start with an unstable atom (uranium-235) which splits apart into two small more stable atoms. When we go from something that is really very unstable (uranium-235) to thing that is more stable (barium and krypton), energy is released. Now to split the uranium atom we need to aggravate it, what we do is we strike a neutron into this big uranium atom, which converts it into uranium-236 from uranium -235. Uranium-236 is super unstable atom and splits up into krypton-92 and barium-141, which are way more stable. Other than release of energy, 3 free neutrons are also released in the process. These neutrons further strikes another 3 uranium atoms and starts up a chain reaction, helping in getting a great amount of thermal energy.
Principles of nuclear power
Atoms are constructed like miniature solar systems. At the center of the atom is the nucleus; orbiting around it are electrons.
The nucleus is composed of protons and neutrons, very densely packed together. Hydrogen, the lightest element, has one proton; the heaviest natural element, uranium, has 92 protons.
How fission works
During fission, a neutron bombards a uranium atom, releasing more neutrons and triggering a chain reaction.
The nucleus of an atom is held together with great force, the "strongest force in nature." When bombarded with a neutron, it can be split apart, a process called fission (pictured to the right). Because uranium atoms are so large, the atomic force that binds it together is relatively weak, making uranium good for fission.
In nuclear power plants, neutrons collide with uranium atoms, splitting them. This split releases neutrons from the uranium that in turn collide with other atoms, causing a chain reaction. This chain reaction is controlled with "control rods" that absorb neutrons.
In the core of nuclear reactors, the fission of uranium atoms releases energy that heats water to about 520 degrees Farenheit. This hot water is then used to spin turbines that are connected to generators, producing electricity.