The energy in nuclear fuel comes from the fission (splitting) or fusion (merging) of atomic nuclei. When the nucleus of an atom is split or merged, a large amount of energy is released in the form of heat and radiation. This energy is known as nuclear energy, and it is one of the most concentrated forms of energy known to us.
To convert nuclear energy into electrical energy, we typically use a nuclear reactor, which is a device that uses controlled nuclear reactions to generate heat. The heat is then used to produce steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator. The generator converts the mechanical energy of the turbine into electrical energy, which can be distributed to homes and businesses through a power grid.
In more detail, the nuclear reactor contains fuel rods that are made of a radioactive material, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239. When a neutron strikes the nucleus of one of these atoms, it causes the nucleus to split into two smaller nuclei, along with the release of additional neutrons and a large amount of heat. This process is known as nuclear fission, and it is sustained in the reactor by controlling the rate of neutron production and absorption.
The heat produced by nuclear fission is transferred to a coolant, such as water or gas, which carries the heat to a heat exchanger. In the heat ex