Final answer:
A nuclear power plant uses uranium in fuel rods for a controlled fission reaction to generate heat, moderated by a coolant and regulated with control rods to ensure safe and efficient electricity production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nuclear power plant operates by utilizing uranium fuel, which is shaped into pellets and arranged into long cylindrical formations called fuel rods. These rods are housed in the reactor core and the uranium undergoes a process known as fission, releasing heat. To harness this heat efficiently and safely for electricity production, several components work together harmoniously:
Nuclear fuel: Uranium-235 is used as a fissionable isotope in fuel rods to sustain a controlled chain reaction.
Moderator: This component slows down the neutrons so they can be more effectively absorbed by the fuel to perpetuate the nuclear reaction.
Coolant: Usually water, it transfers the heat from the fission reaction to the turbine where it is then transformed into electricity.
Control system: Comprising control rods made of neutron-absorbing materials such as boron or palladium, the control system regulates the neutron flux. By adjusting the position of these rods, the nuclear reactor's output and safety are monitored to prevent overheating and a potential meltdown.
The control rods can be lowered or raised to either absorb neutrons and slow the reaction or allow more neutrons to sustain the reaction and increase heat production, respectively. In an emergency, these control rods can automatically drop into the core to shut down the reaction, providing a fail-safe mechanism against excessive reaction rates.