Question 8:
Figure 2 shows the conversion of energy that occurs from nuclear energy to electrical energy in a nuclear reactor.
(a) How is nuclear energy produced in a reactor?
(b) How is heat energy converted to kinetic energy in the rotation of a turbine?
Explain your answer.
(c) The kinetic energy from the turbine rotation can produce electrical energy.
How does this process happen? Explain.
(d) Usually, high cooling towers are built at nuclear power stations.
Explain the reason.
Answer:
(a) The chain reaction resulting from neutron bombardment on the uranium-235 nuclei produces a large amount of nuclear energy in the reactor.
(b) Heat energy boils the cold water. The high pressure steam produced is capable of rotating a turbine at extremely high speed.
(c) The rotation of a turbine will enable the dynamo to generate electricity by electromagnetic induction.
(d) After passing the turbines, the steam will be cooled by large amounts of water from lakes or ponds. Part of the heat generated through the steam cooling process is released through the cooling tower. A nuclear reactor needs to have a complete cooling system that is in good working condition. A faulty cooling system can cause a reactor core meltdown and lead to a serious radioactive leakage disaster.
Figure 2 shows the conversion of energy that occurs from nuclear energy to electrical energy in a nuclear reactor.
(a) How is nuclear energy produced in a reactor?
(b) How is heat energy converted to kinetic energy in the rotation of a turbine?
Explain your answer.
(c) The kinetic energy from the turbine rotation can produce electrical energy.
How does this process happen? Explain.
(d) Usually, high cooling towers are built at nuclear power stations.
Explain the reason.
Answer:
(a) The chain reaction resulting from neutron bombardment on the uranium-235 nuclei produces a large amount of nuclear energy in the reactor.
(b) Heat energy boils the cold water. The high pressure steam produced is capable of rotating a turbine at extremely high speed.
(c) The rotation of a turbine will enable the dynamo to generate electricity by electromagnetic induction.
(d) After passing the turbines, the steam will be cooled by large amounts of water from lakes or ponds. Part of the heat generated through the steam cooling process is released through the cooling tower. A nuclear reactor needs to have a complete cooling system that is in good working condition. A faulty cooling system can cause a reactor core meltdown and lead to a serious radioactive leakage disaster.
Question 9:
A nuclear agency plans to build a nuclear power plant in our country to meet the growing demand for energy. However, nuclear fission requires very expensive uranium or plutonium fuels. Furthermore, the issue of radioactive waste management and the threat of environmental pollution is worrying the public.
Imagine that you are a nuclear scientist assigned to construct the nuclear power station.
Discuss the considerations that need to be made based on the following aspects:
• location of the nuclear power plant
• walls for the reactor core
• walls for the reactor building
• cooling agents
• energy control methods
• radioactive waste management
• safety measures
Justify each of your suggestions
Answer:
A nuclear agency plans to build a nuclear power plant in our country to meet the growing demand for energy. However, nuclear fission requires very expensive uranium or plutonium fuels. Furthermore, the issue of radioactive waste management and the threat of environmental pollution is worrying the public.
Imagine that you are a nuclear scientist assigned to construct the nuclear power station.
Discuss the considerations that need to be made based on the following aspects:
• location of the nuclear power plant
• walls for the reactor core
• walls for the reactor building
• cooling agents
• energy control methods
• radioactive waste management
• safety measures
Justify each of your suggestions
Answer: