Nuclear Reactors and Energy free essay sample

An examination of the process by which nuclear reactors produce energy. This paper explains how a nuclear reactor produces energy. The paper includes a discussion of fission, radioactivity, types of reactors and how they produce electricity. All modern nuclear reactors operate on the principal of nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of an atom is split when it absorbs a free neutron after a collision occurs between the atom and the neutron. Splitting the nucleus of the atom releases large amounts of nuclear energy contained within the nucleus. Once the nucleus of the atom is split, multiple neutrons are released which are used to split nuclei of other atoms, causing what is known as a chain reaction. The chain reaction will continue as long as an average of one neutron per fission is absorbed by a nucleus. By harnessing and manipulating the energy that is released, other types of energy can be obtained. We will write a custom essay sample on Nuclear Reactors and Energy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The power developed by nuclear fission has been used by man to create, as in the driving of an electric generator and for propulsion, as well as destroy, as in the release of atomic explosion. Whereas the fission in a nuclear reactor is precisely controlled to prevent a nuclear meltdown, the fission in an atomic explosion is not controlled and the shock wave produced by the splitting atom and its resulting chain reaction is equal to several thousand tons of TNT.