obaid.O



Nuclear

Nuclear energy originates from the splitting of uranium atoms in a process called fission. At the power plant the fission process is used to generate heat for producing steam which is used by a turbine to generate electricity. Nuclear energy comes from mass-to-energy conversions that occur in the splitting of atoms larger than Iron or joining atoms smaller than Iron.uranium is used to fuel produce energy through a process called fission. Fission entails the splitting of atoms of uranium inside a nuclear reactor that, in U.S. facilities, uses water to carry the heat that is converted into steam to turn the turbine/generators.

How Is Nuclear Energy Produced Nuclear power is generated inside a plant called a reactor. The power source is the heat produced by a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction, either of uranium or plutonium. This reaction involves an element such as uranium or plutonium being struck by a neutron and splitting. The result of the fission of these large atoms are the creation of new, smaller atoms as byproducts, radiation and more neutrons. Those neutrons speed out and strike other uranium/plutonium atoms, creating a chain reaction. The chain reaction in a reaction is controlled by neutron moderators, which vary depending on the design of the reactor. This can be anything from graphite rods to simple water. Once the heat has been released, a nuclear reactor produces electricity in exactly the same manner as any other thermal-based power plant. The heat converts water into steam, and the steam is used to turn the blades of a turbine, which runs the generator.

What Is Nuclear Energy Used For

 The two basic types of nuclear energy are based on fission and fussion. Fission is basically atom splitting. Fusion is the forcing together of nuclei and causing them to fuse, to stick together, and to form a new nucleus. In both nuclear reactions a lot of heat is generated.The reactions can be set up to occur really fast and release energy all at one.

 Function  The majority of nuclear energy is used to create electricity. First, uranium must be stored and separated into two different elements using an enrichment process. The elements are then brought through a chain-reaction fission process that splits the atom.Heat energy from the fission boils water and creates high-pressured steam that powers a turbine connected to a generator. The generator spins and creates the electricity that can be used.

 Features

 A small percentage of nuclear energy is used for things other than electricity. This is a small percentage and not a future concept that will be explored. France is powered 80 percent by nuclear power, eliminating the need for many fossil fuel burning power plants for which they would have to import coal and other fuels. The United States uses nuclear energy to power about 20 percent of the country but some states such as Connecticut rely on a larger percentage For example: the Millstone Nuclear Power plant in Waterford provides the state of Connecticut with around 50 percent of its needed power.

 Benefits Almost 20% of the United States' electricity is provided by nuclear reactors. Each reactor actually creates more power output than a typical coal plant because the reactors are generally larger. Nuclear reactors do not burn any fossil fuels so the plants do not give off any emissions or pollution into the air. This is very beneficial because pollution and burning has caused a greenhouse effect that could dramatically affect future generations.

 Effects

Use of nuclear energy also comes with some harmful effects. All of the water that is steamed to power the turbines becomes radioactive and this can be harmful to humans. The process of creating nuclear energy also creates nuclear waste that needs to be stored. If it is not properly stored then radiation can spread, causing harm to living things, mutations and potentially death

PICTURE/VIDEO ETC...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJfIbBDR3e8