For instance, cadmium rods are inserted into the core of the reactor because they can absorb the neutrons. It controls the number of neutrons available for the fission. Graphite and heavy water ( D 2O ) are the most commonly used moderators.Ĭontrol Material: This material is used to control the chain reaction and to maintain a stable rate of reaction. Moderator: Moderator is generally used to slow down the fast moving neutrons. The most commonly used fuels in the reactor are: Uranium isotope (U235), Thorium isotope (Th232), and Plutonium isotopes (Pu239, Pu240, and Pu241).
Reactors are also used for research purposes and for producing radioactive isotopes.įissionable material (Fuel): This material is used in the reactor and it is called the fuel of the reactor. These reactions release energy that can be used to generate electricity or power an engine. The heat generated further utilised to make steam that helps to spin a turbine to produce the electricity. The nuclear reactors contain and control nuclear chain reactions that are capable of generating heat energy through a physical reaction known as fission. The nuclear reactors are an important part of the nuclear power plants. This process releases energy in the form of heat and radiation.Ī device in which nuclear fission reactions take place, such a device is known as Nuclear Reactor. In a nuclear fusion reaction, two atoms join together to form a single larger atom. Nuclear fusion, which is the basis for thermonuclear weapons, also releases energy that can be harnessed to create massive amounts of destruction. The process of nuclear fission, which is the basis for nuclear power plants, creates heat that is used to produce steam, which in turn drives turbines that generate electricity. The splitting of plutonium-239 nuclei when hit by a neutron, which also results in the release of energy and two or three new nuclei.Ī nuclear chain reaction is a process in which the nucleus of an atom splits apart, releasing energy that can be used to generate electricity. The splitting of uranium-235 nuclei when hit by a neutron, which results in the release of energy and two or three new nuclei. The most common examples of nuclear fission are listed below: Other materials that can undergo nuclear fission include plutonium-239 and thorium-232. The most common fuel for nuclear fission reactors is uranium-235, which can be found in nature but is also enriched for use in reactors. When induced nuclear fission occurs, it usually produces a chain reaction in which other nuclei split and release energy, leading to a massive release of energy. Nuclear fission occurs naturally in some radioactive materials, but it can also be induced by bombarding the nucleus with high-energy particles.
This process releases a large amount of energy, which can be used to generate electricity or power weapons. Now, we have the basic concept of nuclear reaction, so let's dive into the article to know the above-mentioned concepts.Ī process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei is known as Nuclear Fission. The bombarding particle may either be an alpha particle, a gamma-ray photon, a neutron, a proton, or a heavy-ion. They are Nuclear Fusion and Nuclear Reactor but before getting into the concept let us understand a basic concept i.e., Nuclear Reaction.Ī nuclear reaction is a reaction that involves the change in the identity or characteristics of an atomic nucleus, induced by bombarding it with an energetic particle.
But here in this article let us learn some concepts that are related to nuclear energy. We all heard the word Nuclear right? It means relating to the nuclei of atoms, or to the energy released when these nuclei are split or combined.
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