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Question
What is nuclear energy? Explain the principle of producing electricity using nuclear energy is a nuclear reactor.
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Solution
The process whereby an atomic nucleus breaks up into two or more major fragments with the release of a tremendous amount of energy is called nuclear fusion and the energy thus released is nuclear energy.
Principle: The production of electricity using nuclear energy is based on the principle in which steam is produced by heating water through heat energy released during the controlled nuclear fission of uranium-235 (or plutonium-239). When atoms of uranium fuel are hit by neutrons they fission (split), releasing heat and more neutrons. Under controlled conditions, these other neutrons can strike more uranium atoms, splitting more atoms, and so on. Thereby, continuous fission can take place, forming a chain reaction releasing heat. The heat is used to turn water into steam that, in turn, spins a turbine that generates electricity. At present nuclear power is used to generate 3% of all the country’s electricity.
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