A nuclear fission reactor produces electricity. What is the role of the fuel, the control rods, water, and generator in this process?
A reactor core full of water is heated to steam by the fission reaction that occurs inside control rods full of radioactive fuel pellets. The generator collects the emitted particles as the radioactive nuclei collide and transfers them to the power grid.
Fuel rods heat a pool of water to steam as heat from the fission reaction of the yellowcake inside is transferred to the water. The control rods are used to control the rate of electricity leaving the generator as it converts mechanical energy from a steam-powered turbine into electrical energy.
A generator is used to activate the control rods which contain radioactive isotopes. Once activated, these isotopes begin a nuclear fission chain reaction. Water in a cooling tank keeps the rate of reaction under control as electrons emitted from the reaction are fed through wires to homes and businesses.
The radioactive isotopes used as fuel provide the heat energy to create steam from water through a nuclear fission chain reaction. The control rods are used to regulate the rate of this fission reaction. The generator converts mechanical energy from a steam-powered turbine into electricity.
