- NEW!
by FreshApples on August 15th, 2009
Well, seeing that yeroca pushed me to it, I shall explain it to you.
first, the reactor turns nuclear energy into heat (which I actually find quite fascinating.). Then, nuclear fission take place (in which uranium-235, plutonium-239, or plutonium-241 is used), by which the fissle atomic nucleus absorbs a neutron.
then, The original heavy nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei, releasing free neutrons, gamma radiation, and kinetic energy.
But like yeroca said, this is hardly even a scratch of the process, and it would involve a highly detailed answer. I really didn't know any of that I just looked at wikipedia quickly and jotted that little bit, but that link that yeroca has will explain a lot more to you.
I find this topic very interesting though, I think I'm going to read it myself (not that I'll understand it ;)
by yeroco on August 15th, 2009
That would involve quite a detailed explanation here, without the benefit of diagrams.
I think this article covers it pretty well, and you can dig as deep as you like:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_reactor_technology
by dead leaves raked in a pile on August 15th, 2009
SIMPLY.... it's a controlled nuclear reaction that creates heat, and usually the heat generates steam to drive a turbine to generate the electricity.
Is the Ironman arc reactor technology possible?
by AhimsaDas on March 18th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
How fast does a blast wave from a nuke travel?
by Zack on April 25th, 2011
| 2 people like this
What conditions can change the half life of a certain radioactive element?
by Rakhitha91 on January 13th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
why do they say you can not change a radioactive half life when that is EXACTLY what we do in nuclear reactors and bombs?
by TAPriceCTR s son is wearing his COAT on December 10th, 2010
| 1 person likes this
Does it take much knowledge of science to know how to make a nuclear, or something similar, bomb?
by AlexanderTheGreat on April 25th, 2011
| 2 people like this
You're reading How does a nuclear reactor work?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
+6 for your curiosity.If you face any difficulty in understanding any terms,you can ask me.I love to talk nuclear physics.
by engineer is Terminator on August 16th, 2009
Actually it's the fission that produces the heat, but what the hey, close enough. Remember, close DOES count. With horseshoes and nukes. lol
by LarryH54 on February 17th, 2010