Nuclear and coal plants are two of the main ways people all around the world generate electricity. To understand which is more effective, you have to understand how both of them work. Nuclear reactors require fuel (Uranium) to cause nuclear chain reactions. The Uranium breaks down into smaller, more stable ions in the reactor core. Operators on the plant lower control rods to slow down reactions that are getting out of control by absorbing neutrons. They also retract these rods if the reaction needs to speed up or produce more energy. Some of the energy in these reactions converts to heat, which brings water in a tank to extremely high temperatures. This water is then pressurized and heats up a second stream, which produces steam. This steam then spins a the blades of a steam turbine, which uses this kinetic energy to produce electricity. …show more content…
Coal is a dark black mineral that is formed by dead plant matter that is crushed over millions of years of heat and pressure underground. When coal is burned, the sunlight stored from those ancient plants photosynthesis is released. The energy from coal is used to generate electricity in Fossil fuel power plants. Although natural gas and petroleum can be used in this type of power plant, coal is the most commonly used. The design is somewhat similar to a nuclear plant. Coal is burned in a “firebox”, and the heat from this heats up water in a tube that runs through the firebox. The water molecules heat up, and convert from liquid to gas (steam). This steam turns the blades of a turbine, where it produces energy exactly like a nuclear plant.
After looking at the factors of cost, safety, and resources, It’s clear that nuclear power is extremely ineffective compared to coal. Even though Nuclear has been advertised as the power of the future, in its current state there are some serious