Chapter 23. Nuclear Power

How is nuclear energy harnessed to generate electricity...?

Why You Should Care

Nuclear energy releases radiation constantly as it decays. This decay can be sped up by packing more radioactive isotopes into smaller and smaller volumes. The released neutrons strike nearby isotopes, and this speeds their decay. This creates a chain reaction of more isotopes decaying and brings radiation up to levels that are usable for power generation.

Reactors control chain reactions by inserting control rods that capture neutrons and slow chain reactions. By slowly removing the control rods, chain reactions of fission increase and release more heat that is used to boil water directly (boiling water reactor, or BWR) or indirectly (pressure water reactor, or PWR).

As long as the boiling water is cooled enough, the water can be recirculated back to absorb more heat from the reactor. The greatest fear of any reactor is a failure to cool water and the reactor beginning to overheat. If the overheating cannot be stopped, the reactor will “melt down” as fission goes out of control and the reactor fails. Numerous safety procedures and backups must be included to ensure this never happens.

Question 23.1

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Question 23.2

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Question 23.3

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Question 23.4

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Question 23.5

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