Final answer:
The total thermal nuclear power output of a reactor with a 900 MW electrical output and 35% efficiency is approximately 2571.43 MW. This calculation uses the efficiency to determine how much total nuclear power is required to generate the given electrical power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking for the calculation of the total thermal nuclear power output of a nuclear reactor that has an electrical output of 900 MW and is 35.0% efficient in converting nuclear power to electrical power. To find the total thermal nuclear power output, we use the formula: Total Power Output = Electrical Power Output / Efficiency. In this case: Total Power Output = 900 MW / 0.35, which equals approximately 2571.43 MW. This is the total thermal nuclear power output of the nuclear reactor.
Since the electrical power output is only 35% of the thermal power, the majority of the rest is lost as heat, which in this context is not used for any productive purpose. Nuclear energy is a significant source of electrical power worldwide, providing a substantial portion of the electricity in many countries, with France being an example where about 70% of its electricity comes from nuclear reactors.