Getting the Energy from Atoms
To produce nuclear energy, the energy inside the atom must be released. It can be released in two ways: nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.
In nuclear fusion, energy is released when atoms combine, or fuse, together to form a larger atom. The sun produces nuclear energy through fusion.
In nuclear fission, scientists use a nuclear reactor to shoot a neutron into a uranium atom and split it. This releases the atom's energy as heat and radiation. As the atom breaks open, more neutrons are released. These neutrons bump into and break open other uranium atoms. The process in the nuclear reactor is called a “chain reaction” because it repeats itself many times.
Nuclear reactors are machines that control chain reactions and capture the heat that is released. In nuclear power plants that make electricity, the reactors supply the heat to boil water into steam. The steam then turns huge blades called turbines. As they turn, the turbines drive machines called generators, which make electricity. Visit the next section, “Making Electricity” to learn more about this interesting process.
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