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Electricity is generated in a nuclear power station - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 3
Electricity is generated in a nuclear power station. The diagram shows the first stages in this process. (a) The thermal energy released in the reactor is used to p... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Electricity is generated in a nuclear power station - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
The thermal energy released in the reactor is used to produce steam. Describe how the steam is used to generate electricity.
Answer
The thermal energy released during nuclear fission heats the water in the reactor, converting it into steam. This steam is then directed to a turbine, where it drives the blades to spin. The motion of the turbine is connected to a generator, which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. Specifically, it rotates a magnet within coils of wire, generating an electric current.
Step 2
Describe how the fission of a uranium-235 nucleus can start off a chain reaction.
Answer
Fission occurs when a neutron collides with a uranium-235 nucleus, causing it to split into two smaller nuclei and release additional neutrons. These free neutrons can then hit other uranium-235 nuclei, causing them to fission as well. This process repeats, creating a continuous chain reaction, provided at least one of the emitted neutrons causes another fission event.