A) Nuclear reactions produce more energy than chemical reactions. Nuclear power plants generate energy by using nuclear fission. Nuclear fission produces the energy generated by nuclear reactors. The energy created by the fissions is primarily used to create electricity. Heat makes steam when uranium atoms split. In the nuclear power plant steam is used to drive turbines that produce electricity. A dense concrete structure is built to enclose the reactor. The main purpose of the containment structure is to shield the personnel and nearby residents from harmful radiation. As a nuclear reactor operates the fuel rods are gradually depleted and products from the fission reaction accumulate. The reactor must be serviced periodically. Spent fuel rods …show more content…
The moderator’s job is to slow down the neutrons that are being produced. A pressurized water reactor is the major parts of a nuclear power plant. The pressurized water reactor has water as its primary cooling and heating transfer circuit. In the second circuit it generates steam. Next the boiling water reactor comes in play. In the circuit the reactor keeps the pressure of the steam. Both of these reactors have a job, which is to slow the neutrons. Therefore the slowing down of the neutrons during the fission process of Uranium causes the nuclear power plants to create our energy. Nuclear fusion is also apart of creating energy, but is not used in power plants. Nuclear fusion is the combining of nuclei. Fusion reaction is not radioactive and can use fuels such as hydrogen. The problem is that fusion uses extremely high temperatures in order to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between nuclei. Fusion reactions are also known as thermonuclear reactions. The temperature making it able for fusion to work is 40,000,000 Kelvin. These are the reasons why fusion still must be tested before being used as an energy source. Overall nuclear energy supplies at least 25 percent of our total electricity needs and are used