Nuclear reactor

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A nuclear reactor is a type of power plant which releases the energy of nuclear fission and converts it into usable energy (usually electricity).


When certain isotopes of a large nucleus such as uranium or plutonium split into two or more smaller nuclei, energy is released. In a power plant this energy is usaully used to heat water and turn turbines to generate electricity. Nuclear power plants often use a primary and secondary steam circuit to add an additional layer of protection between the location of the nuclear fuel and the generator room.


The radioactive decay is usually prompted by the capture of a nuetron by the nucleus. Energetic nuetrons are also released during most fission events. Unfortunately these neutrons are way too energetic to be captured by other nuclei, so in nuclear reactors or nuclear weapons they are slowed down by a moderator in order to produce a chain reaction


One type of nuclear reactor is the CANDU reactor.


A fear of nuclear power has prevented the building of any nuclear power plants since the 1970s.


See also: nuclear fission, power plant, nuclear fusion, electricity generation,nuclear physics, Enrico Fermi, Manhattan Project