Is nuclear power used to generate electricity?

Answer 1

Nuclear power has numerous uses ranging from powering space probes to powering homes. Typical to nuclear power are the very small amounts of fuel needed to produce very large amounts of energy. A pellet the size of a sugar cube could power a car for the whole lifetime of such a car if there were a practical way to harness the energy. In the production of energy, unlike in cars, such a practical way exists: the nuclear reactor. Nuclear reactors provide 17 % of electricity in the US. Since the amount of fuel needed is very small, it can be contained during and after use insulated in from the environment. Hence the nuclear production of energy produces no harmful pollutants to the air or water and does not contribute to global warming. Additionally nuclear reactors give power to a number of ships and submarines. Some of the largest ships in the world are nuclear powered, including many aircraft carriers. A typical aircraft carrier has two nuclear reactors onboard. Again the small amount of fuel needed means that a nuclear powered ship can sail years or even decades without refueling. A nuclear submarine can sail circumnavigate the globe submerged, nonstop. There is yet another way to harness nuclear power: nuclear batteries. They use the heat generated by radioactive decay to produce electricity. Such batteries are used in remote beacons, space probes and even some surgical implants. Nuclear power could be much more of use. Given the strain on environment that our current energy use causes, the non-polluting nuclear power is an economical and plentiful energy source that could produce nearly 100 % of our electricity, as is done in some countries already. The possibilities of nuclear power in space travel and seafaring are also used in a very limited way now. In future we could see nuclear rockets traveling to distant planets. Such rockets have already been tested by NASA on ground and in space.

Answer 2

When atoms split, the energy that is released heats water in the reactor. Steam is produced and turns a turbine. The turbine runs a generator that creates electricity.

What is most interesting, is that "electricity" is created by the splitting of the atom (electrons and/or protons moving is electricity), and yet, the heat is used to create steam (hot water) that turns a turbine to make electricity. So they create electricity, which is used to make heat, which turns a turbine, which makes electricity. Yep, that's how they do it.

Answer 3

- To provide heat energy to run steam turbines for electricity to commercial and consumer users.

- used in hospitals and medical practices for cancer therapy and diagnostic methods (MRI, PET, CAT, X-rays.)

- as fission material in nuclear bombs.

- Glow in the dark electronics - especially older devices using Radium.

- Spent Uranium used in Artillery and other weapons.

- As lasing/masing/pump material in Lasers and Masers

- Power for space vehicles (rovers, orbiters)

- raw material for high energy physics experiments

- nuclear-powered naval vessels use nuclear power to generate steam that is used for propulsion, water distillation and generating electricity

Answer 4

The nuclear energy generated in the core of a nuclear reactor results from nuclear fission in the fuel. The fissions in the fuel create a lot of thermal energy (heat), and the heat is carried off by the primary coolant. That coolant transfers the heat into secondary water in a steam generator and then the coolant returns to the reactor to pick up more heat. The secondary water is heated and becomes steam, and that steam is used to drive turbines that drive generators.

Answer 5

It's used for electricity in nuclear power plants . Nuclear power is used to heat steam which then turns turbines, which generate electricity in nuclear power stations and also to provide propulsion and power on board nuclear submarines...

Answer 6

The energy released from a nuclear fission reaction is used to boil water, which is fed through a turbine which induces a current in a coil creating electricity.

Answer 7

Nuclear power is just a different process by which regular electricity is produced.

Answer 8

Yes!

Nuclear fission heats water, which is used to turn turbines, which produce electricity.

Answer 9

To make steam, to turn a generator.