Question

How do nuclear reactors and nuclear power plants generate electrical power?

Short answer

Nuclear reactors generate electricity through a series of steps: nuclear fission in the reactor generates heat, this heat turns water into steam, the steam turns a turbine, the rotation of the turbine operates a generator creating electricity, and finally, the steam is condensed back into water to repeat the process.

Step-by-step solution

Nuclear Fission

The nuclear reactor has nuclear fuel typically in the form of pellets. When these pellets are struck by a neutron, they undergo a process known as nuclear fission – the nucleus of the fuel atom splits, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat, and generating more neutrons in the process.

Generating Steam

The heat generated in the first step is used to heat up water and convert it into steam. This is typically done using a heat exchanger or a steam generator.

Rotation of Turbine

The high-pressure steam produced in the previous step is used to turn a turbine. A turbine is a large device with many propeller-like blades – the action of steam against these blades makes the turbine rotate.

Electrical Generation

The rotating turbine is connected to a generator. As the turbine rotates, so does the rotor of the generator. The generator creates an electromagnetic field that induces a flow of electricity, producing electrical power which is then distributed to homes and industries.

Condensation of Steam

The steam, after moving through the turbine, is condensed back into water using a condenser. The water is reused in the reactor to repeat the process, thus creating a cycle.