A nuclear power plant uses Nuclear Fission to create energy. Nuclear fission occurs when a neutron passes by a heavy nucleus such as Uranium-235, the nucleus may capture the neutron which may or may not cause nuclear fission. If the reactor used is U-235 when a neutron is captured the energy is spread out through the 236 nucleons (both protons and neutrons) that are currently present in the nucleus. This nucleus is likely to break up into two fragments due to its instability. These fragments are usually half its mass. After the fragments have been created is followed by emissions of a neutrons usually between 2 and 3 (normally 2.5). Nuclear energy works as all energy works on Einstein’s equation of E=Mc2 , the fragments that are released are usually 99.9% of the mass of the original atom. The mass deficit of 0.1% is converted to energy in the form of gamma rays.
Nuclear energy works by creating extreme amounts of heat due to the reaction that occurs when fission takes place. This heat is used to super heat water creating steam, the steam is used to power turbines and the turbines are attached to generators which produce electricity. Nuclear fission has a high output of energy per Kg but it comes with the downside of its toxic waste by product that is hard to safely dispose of. Natural disasters also need to be considered when evaluating whether to invest in nuclear energy or other “cleaner” types of energy such as solar and wind. If they town, city or country lies on a major fault line and experiences earthquakes often this needs to be taken into consideration due to the fact that a meltdown is extremely detrimental to the environment and the surrounding population. Although …show more content…
Nuclear meltdowns on the scale of Fukushima may occur every 10 to 20 years this doesn’t take into account the age of the reactors and enhanced risk of earthquakes or similar due to
Nuclear energy works by creating extreme amounts of heat due to the reaction that occurs when fission takes place. This heat is used to super heat water creating steam, the steam is used to power turbines and the turbines are attached to generators which produce electricity. Nuclear fission has a high output of energy per Kg but it comes with the downside of its toxic waste by product that is hard to safely dispose of. Natural disasters also need to be considered when evaluating whether to invest in nuclear energy or other “cleaner” types of energy such as solar and wind. If they town, city or country lies on a major fault line and experiences earthquakes often this needs to be taken into consideration due to the fact that a meltdown is extremely detrimental to the environment and the surrounding population. Although …show more content…
Nuclear meltdowns on the scale of Fukushima may occur every 10 to 20 years this doesn’t take into account the age of the reactors and enhanced risk of earthquakes or similar due to