Difference between revisions of "Nuclear Power"
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| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] of a [[coal]] [[Thermal Power Station|power station]]. | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] of a [[coal]] [[Thermal Power Station|power station]]. | ||
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| − | : 1. | + | : 1. [[Nuclear Fuel]] undergoes a [[Nuclear Reaction|nuclear reaction]] in the [[Reactor Core|reactor core]]. |
: 2. Water in the [[Reactor Core|reactor core]] is heated and passed through a heat exchanger. | : 2. Water in the [[Reactor Core|reactor core]] is heated and passed through a heat exchanger. | ||
: 3. Water in the [[Reactor Core|reactor core]] becomes contaminated with [[radioactive]] [[material]] so the heat exchanger heats up uncontaminated water. | : 3. Water in the [[Reactor Core|reactor core]] becomes contaminated with [[radioactive]] [[material]] so the heat exchanger heats up uncontaminated water. | ||
Revision as of 21:14, 19 April 2019
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Nuclear Power is a method used to generate electricity using nuclear fuel.
About Nuclear Power
- Nuclear Fuel can be used to provide power by generating electricity that can be sent to houses and industry.
- Nuclear Fuel has energy in its nuclear potential energy store which can be easily transferred into its thermal energy store.
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| A diagram of a coal power station. |
- 1. Nuclear Fuel undergoes a nuclear reaction in the reactor core.
- 2. Water in the reactor core is heated and passed through a heat exchanger.
- 3. Water in the reactor core becomes contaminated with radioactive material so the heat exchanger heats up uncontaminated water.
- 3. The uncontaminated water turns to steam and passes down pipes to turn a turbine.
- 4. The turbine causes a generator to spin.
- 5. The generator makes an electrical current.
Advantages
- Can work continuously.
- Power supply can be varied depending on demand.
- Few power stations needed to supply a large number of houses.
- High energy density (1kg of Uranium can provide the same energy as 10,000kg of coal).
Disadvantages
- Cost of fuel.
- Difficult to safely dispose of nuclear waste.
- There is a small risk of meltdown.