Nuclear Power PlantsEric Schauwecker

How It Works

1. Control rods are inserted into uranium bundle2. Heated uranium bundle produces steam3. Steam drives the turbine4. Turbine spins the generator5. Generator produces power6. Remaining steam is cooled and partially recycled

Nuclear FissionNeutron collides with a U-235, atom splits, and releases 3 neutrons

1 of these 3 neutrons collides with a U-235 atom, the U-235 atom splits and releases 2 neutrons

These 2 neutrons combine with U-235 atoms, causing them to split and release 1 to 3 neutrons

SafetyIf fuel rods do not properly cool the uranium bundles, disaster can occur

Works Cited

How Stuff Works, http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power3.htmWestinghouse,

http://westinghousenuclear.com/Products_&_Services/Nuclear_Fuel/

Environmental News Service, http://www.ens-newswire.com/

Questions