Nuclear Power Flashcards
What is nuclear power?
Nuclear power is a clean and efficient way of producing electricity
How does it work ?
Step 1 : Uranium is housed in a tough steel capsule where neutrons are fired at the uranium atoms causing them to split and release more neutrons creating a chain reaction . This chain reaction produces enough heat for the next stage.
What is step 2?
Water is then heated and passed through a reactor vessel where the chain reaction from step 1 will heat it up to 300 degrees
What is step 3?
A coolant pump then circulates the water to the steam generator
What is step 4?
The hot pressurised water flows through a first pipe whilst a second stream of water which is outside the pipes . This water is under much less pressure , so the heat from the Pipes warm the cool water into steam.
What is step 5?
The steam is then converted to electrical energy . This happens when the steam passes through a series of turbines which causes them to spin . This turbine converts the steams heat energy into mechanical energy . This then connects to a generator which uses an electromagnetic field to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy
What is step 6?
A transformer converts the electrical energy to the high voltage needed by the national grid who distribute the electricity .
What is step 7?
The electricity is then connected to you power lines that connect to your home
Step 7
The steam is then cooled and recycled
How sustainable is nuclear power?
- Nuclear power does not produce any greenhouse emissions
- Resilient in times of extreme weather
- fuel efficient
What are the cons of nuclear power?
- accidents in a power planet could emit radioactive materials causing damage to people and countries.
- there is not a good solution for disposing radioactive waste
