Final answer:
The generator is the component that produces electrical energy in a nuclear power plant, driven by the mechanical energy of a turbine which is turned by steam produced from nuclear fission reactions in the reactor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The component in a nuclear power plant that actually produces the electrical energy is the generator. The process begins with a nuclear reactor where uranium, specifically the isotope uranium-235, undergoes fission reactions, releasing a large amount of heat. This heat is used to convert water into steam, which then drives a turbine. As the turbine spins, it turns the connected generator which converts this mechanical energy into electrical energy, thus producing electricity for general use.
The nuclear power plant's generator, through the conversion of mechanical energy from the turbine, exemplifies the crucial link between nuclear fission reactions and the generation of electrical power, providing a sustainable and efficient source of electricity for various applications.