Chapter 24.3, Problem 24SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Nuclear fission which is used to generate electric power needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The fuel used in nuclear power plants is enriched to contain 3% uranium-235, the amount required to sustain a chain reaction, and is called enriched uranium. Certain rods, mostly made of cadmium or boron, regulate the cycle of fission within the reactor by absorbing the neutrons emitted during the reaction.

Answer to Problem 24SSC

Due to the mass difference before and after atomic decay, a nuclear fission results in the output of thermal energy. This thermal energy is converted to a coolant device for reactors. Then thermal energy is transferred to mechanical energy via turbines. Through generators mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy.

Explanation of Solution

Nuclear reactors produce energy due to nuclear fission reactions. This energy is used for the electricity production at nuclear power plants.

Chain reaction is a self-sustaining process. In this reaction, two neutrons are produced by one fission after that two different fissions are created by these two and more neutrons are release from these fissions and these neutrons produced more fission. Chain reaction triggers the next reaction. In the presence of a critical mass, the discharge of neutrons in one fission results in other fissions to take place. If there is more mass than the critical mass, the chain reaction devolves quickly. This can lead to a violent nuclear explosion. A sample of fissionable material is known to have supercritical mass, with a density greater than the critical density. It needs careful monitoring and constant adjustment of the control rods to maintain the chain reaction running while preventing it from speeding out of control. A neutron-emitting fission is started within a nuclear reactor source and end by positioning of the reactor core to consume all of the neutrons produced in the reaction.