Nuclear energy is one of the greatest discoveries in human history and holds significant promise as a future energy source for mankind.

Nuclear reactions and nuclear fission form the foundation of nuclear energy production, and understanding these principles is crucial for grasping how nuclear energy works.

Nuclear reactions refer to the physical processes occurring within an atom's nucleus that produce energy and radioactive substances. There are two main types of nuclear reactions: nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. Nuclear fusion involves the merging of two small nuclei into a larger one, releasing a significant amount of energy. In contrast, nuclear fission involves the splitting of a large nucleus into two smaller nuclei, which also generates a substantial amount of energy.

A nuclear reactor is the primary equipment used to produce energy through nuclear reactions. Its basic components include fuel, reactor vessels, control rods, coolant, and generator sets, among others.

Nuclear fuel is a radioactive substance, typically made from elements like uranium or plutonium. Inside the reactor, nuclear fuel undergoes fission, producing a significant amount of heat energy. This energy is transferred to the steam generator via the coolant and is ultimately converted into electricity.

Advantages

Nuclear energy is widely used in various fields, including energy production, medicine, and the military, making it an important technology and tool.

Nuclear energy does not produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide during energy generation, thus it does not contribute to climate change or environmental pollution. Additionally, nuclear energy has a high energy density, allowing for the production of more energy in a smaller space.

The cost of nuclear power generation is relatively stable compared to other methods, as it is less affected by international economic conditions.

How Does A Nuclear Power Plant Make Electricity?

After years of exploration and comparison in various countries, most of the world's nuclear power plants now use pressurized water reactors (PWRs), a type of thermal neutron reactor. Modern PWR nuclear power plants represent a pinnacle of human industrial technology and play a crucial role in the global energy supply.

- First, the nuclear fission chain reaction of nuclear fuel in the reactor core generates a large amount of heat, converting nuclear energy into thermal energy.

- Through the circulation of coolant, such as water, the heat is transferred from the reactor core to the steam generator. In the steam generator, water on one side is heated and evaporated into steam. This steam then enters a steam turbine, where it expands to drive the turbine rotor, converting the heat energy into mechanical energy.

- Finally, the steam turbine rotor drives the generator rotor to rotate, causing the generator to produce electricity. This process converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, thereby achieving nuclear power generation.

Disadvantage

Radioactive waste from nuclear energy is highly hazardous and requires careful disposal and storage. This process involves significant costs and time to ensure the safety and stability of the waste, preventing harm to the environment and human health.

In addition, nuclear energy carries the risk of nuclear accidents, which can have profound impacts on humans and the environment. Recent events such as the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear accidents have underscored these risks. These accidents have resulted in significant loss of life, contamination of land, and the release of radioactive materials, highlighting the severe consequences for both humans and the environment.

With increasing energy demand and mounting concerns about climate change, nuclear energy will continue to play a crucial role as a clean, efficient, and reliable energy source. Simultaneously, the international community must collaborate to enhance supervision and management of nuclear technology, prevent nuclear proliferation and accidents, and ensure the safety and sustainable development of nuclear energy.