Up until December 2023, there are 413 nuclear power reactors operating across the globe with 61 undergoing construction and 110 more in planning. Nuclear physics has certainly become a hot topic in modern society, and has created quite some controversy as well. So how does it work? Well, all nuclear reactors generate their energy through a physical reaction known as fission.
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear fission is the process of “splitting” an atom’s nucleus into smaller nuclei, resulting in the release of abundant amounts of energy. This energy is released in the form of smaller nuclei, neutrons, gamma radiation or exothermic reactions. Moreover, the neutrons produced during the initial fission scatter and cause more collisions between atoms, leading to a chain reaction of fission.
In conventional nuclear power plants, the fission reaction involves bombarding radioactive isotopes (such as Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239) with neutrons, causing them to continuously split into smaller atoms and release additional neutrons. This ongoing process results in a chain reaction as more neutrons and atoms are bombarded within the medium, leading to further splitting. The immense amount of energy generated is harnessed by fuel rods and converted into heat energy. Ultimately, this heat energy is used to convert water into steam, which drives turbines and generates electricity for commercial use.
Nuclear Cross Section (Why Uranium?)
The nuclear cross section quantifies the likelihood of a nuclear reaction occurring within a nucleus. This probability is directly related to the size of the nucleus, with larger nuclei having a higher probability. More information about the Nuclear Cross Section can be found here.
In the case of Uranium and Plutonium isotopes, they contain a significant number of subatomic particles in their nucleus, making them highly unstable and prone to decay. Due to their abundant energy and relatively easier availability, Uranium is commonly used for fission reactions, which is why physicists often choose to utilise it.
Fun fact: Uranium Fuel at the size of an egg can provide equivalent amounts of energy of 88 tonnes of coal.
Debates Regarding Nuclear Power
Due to its high stakes and high returns, nuclear power has been a hot topic for debate. At first glance, nuclear power is seen as an exceptional alternative for fossil fuels, because it is one of the few types of energy that does not emit large amounts of greenhouse gases.
However, nuclear energy has revealed many negative impacts that cause a wide range of concerns regarding ethics, safety, the environment and politics. The adoption of nuclear energy results in wastes and byproducts that are highly radioactive, and poses many threats to public health and the environment. There are risks of catastrophic accidents like nuclear meltdowns and waste leaks, which can create dire consequences not only for nearby residents, but also for entire systems.
Conclusion
To summarise, fission is a continuous chain reaction of bombarding and splitting atoms, resulting in the release of enormous amounts of energy. In theory, this process offers an ideal solution for sustaining power and electricity supply, leading to the establishment of nuclear power plants. However, in reality, the hazards and consequences associated with fission have led to devastating outcomes that pose significant threats to the environment. With advancements in technology and better mitigation of hazards, there is potential for more frequent and safer utilisation of fission in reactors.
Works Cited
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2018). The Fission Process. [online] Massachusetts Institute of Technology Nuclear Reactor Laboratory. Available at: https://nrl.mit.edu/reactor/fission-process.
Steinberg, E.P. (2018). nuclear fission | Examples & Process. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/science/nuclear-fission.
Wikipedia. (2020). Discovery of nuclear fission. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_of_nuclear_fission.
Wikipedia. (2021). Nuclear cross section. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_cross_section.
Wikipedia. (2024). List of commercial nuclear reactors. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_commercial_nuclear_reactors#:~:text=. [Accessed 29 Feb. 2024].
www.iaea.org. (2023). What is Uranium? [online] Available at: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-uranium# [Accessed 29 Feb. 2024].
www.osti.gov. (n.d.). Manhattan Project: Science > Nuclear Physics > CROSS SECTION. [online] Available at: https://osti.gov/opennet/manhattan-project-history/Science/NuclearPhysics/cross-section.html [Accessed 29 Feb. 2024].
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