1.11.7

Nuclear Energy

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Nuclear Energy

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Nuclear energy

  • In a nuclear reactor, fission takes place when the nucleus of a uranium atom splits into smaller nuclei.
  • This releases nuclear energy, which is converted into thermal energy.
  • The fuel rods become very hot and transfer this thermal energy to a fluid in the heat exchanger.
  • The fluid becomes steam and rotates a turbine.
  • The turbine turns a generator, producing electrical energy.
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Important!

  • Not all reactors use the same design.
    • Some use water, some graphite.
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Advantages

  • No greenhouse gas emission, so no contribution to global warming.
  • Reliable, on-demand electricity.
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Disadvantages

  • Nuclear waste remains radioactive for a very long time.
  • Nuclear waste must be stored safely for thousands of years.

Jump to other topics

1Motion, Forces & Energy

1.1Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

1.2Motion

1.3Mass & Weight

1.4Density

1.5Forces: Effects of Forces

1.6Forces: Turning Effects of Forces

1.7Forces: Centre of Gravity

1.8Momentum

1.9Energy, Work, & Power: Energy

1.10Energy, Work & Power: Work

1.11Energy, Work & Power: Energy Resources

1.12Energy, Work & Power: Power

1.13Pressure

2Thermal Physics

3Waves

4Electricity & Magnetism

4.1Simple Phenomena of Magnetism

4.2Electrical Quantities: Electric Charge

4.3Electrical Quantities: Electric Current

4.4Electromotive Force & Potential Difference

4.5Electrical Quantities: Resistance

4.6Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

4.7Electric Circuits: Circuit Diagrams & Components

4.8Electric Circuits: Series & Parallel Circuits

4.9Electric Circuits: Action & Use

4.10Electrical Safety

4.11Electromagnetic Effects: Electromagnetic Induction

4.12Electromagnetic Effects: The A.C. Generator

4.13Magnetic Effect of a Current

4.14Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

4.15Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

4.16Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

5Nuclear Physics

6Space Physics

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