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Nuclear Power   Term Paper ID:27299 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Step-by-step description of the various stages in the creation of nuclear power, beginning with a description of atomic particles through the creation of nuclear fission.... More...

7 Pages / 1575 Words 5 sources, 13 Citations, MLA Format $28.00 Return to List of Papers

Paper Abstract: Step-by-step description of the various stages in the creation of nuclear power, beginning with a description of atomic particles through the creation of nuclear fission. Paper Introduction: Atoms are the basis of matter. At the center of the atom, unchanged by the physical and chemical transformations of the whole, the nucleus is found. The nucleus is comprised of protons, positive particles, and neutrons, uncharged particles of the same mass. Since the nucleus is positively charged, the protons repel one another. Despite this negative attraction, a short-range nuclear force holds them together. This has been described as an "immensely powerful short-range attractive force acting equally between the protons and the neutrons" (Patterson, 1983, 24) or as a "new kind of short-lived nuclear particle, called meson" (Jacobowitz, 1959, 18). Whichever image is used, this force holds the nucleus together. Lighter nuclei, containing fewer numbers of protons and neutrons in equal number are more stable than heavier nuclei, which require more neutrons than Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. When they are greater, the reaction may spin out ofcontrol. 91 gm x 25, , kw-hrs/gm = 22,6 kw-hrs of energy. Following is a discussion of theprocess, two reactor types, and the ensuing pros and cons. When they are equal to a factor of one, thereaction can continue. Whichever image is used, this force holds the nucleus together.Lighter nuclei, containing fewer numbers of protons and neutrons in equalnumber are more stable than heavier nuclei, which require more neutronsthan protons to remain together. Nero, Jr., A. The fundamental theory for these reactors is the same. Heavy water is actually deuterium; itshydrogen atom contains a proton and a neutron and thus has greater mass.Heavy water is a better moderator as it is more effective in slowing downneutrons and less prone to withdraw them from the chain reaction byabsorption. Fromthis, steam is generated directly or indirectly depending on the reactortype and structure. This fast, uncontrollable reaction is the basis for the nuclearbomb. New York: Penguin Books. New York: NewAmerican Library. This is supported by Einstein's formula, E=mc2(Nero, 1979). The power of nuclear fission can be of great use or great destructionwhen released. Itis not the only element, but it is one which occurs most plentifully innature. NewYork: Van Nostrand Reinhold. & Tamplin, A. References Glasstone, S. The last of the reactions createsplutonium which lends itself readily to the process of nuclear fission(Patterson, 1983). Light waterreactors (LWRs) use enriched U-235 uranium dioxide as a fuel while theheavy-water reactor, CANDU, employs untouched uranium dioxide, primarily U-238. Hence, nuclear reactors are seen as a potentially large source ofenergy. Poisoned Power. The equations follow. Whenthis reaction occurs, it has been found that approximately .215 atomic massunits are lost. There are three paths a neutron can take:it can reach the surface of the material and escape; it can strike anothernucleus and be absorbed into a stable formation; or it can cause fissionwhen striking or being absorbed by another nucleus. So, it can be seen that 1 gm of U-235 can create2.5x1 7 kw-hrs of energy. FromE=mc2, it follows that 1 gm x (3x1 1 cm/sec)2 = 9x1 2 ergs = 9x1 13joules = 2.5x1 7 kw-hrs. It is a matter of proper control both chemically andmanually to harness its energy in a way that can benefit mankind at a costthat makes it feasible. (1963). Heavy water reactors use heavy water as a moderator,coolant, reflector, and shield. Rider, Publisher. This tiny amount converts itself into a large amount ofenergy. Uranium, isotope 235 or isotope 238, is prone to nuclear fission. C. The basis for the discussion centers around the process of nuclearfission itself. Studies have been somewhatinconclusive as to the real risk of accidents, but it is estimated thatthey are slim enough to warrant the use of nuclear power. The radiation particles includealpha particles, ionized Helium atoms; beta rays, electrons emitted by aneutron; and gamma rays, electromagnetic waves originating from the energychanges in the nucleus. The control rods are moved according to the measurements shown byinstruments. Thenuclear force is weakened and splits into fragments releasing strayneutrons, radiation particles, and heat. Jacobowitz, H. (1974). Gofman, J. Light water contains a typicalhydrogen atom with 1 proton and 1 electron. Keeping the reaction at a constant power level requiresmaintaining a balance between neutron production and neutron absorption(Nero, 1979). A Guidebook to Nuclear Reactors. These arrangements are inserted into a moderator which slows down thefree neutrons so that they are the appropriate speed for fission to occur.LWRs use light water as a moderator. The beta and gammaparticles are radiation emissions. Nuclear Reactor Engineering. Hence, the attraction to nuclear power(Patterson, 1983). (1983). A fuelsource containing a fissionable material is at the core. The equation follows.(slow) n1 + 92U235 6 92U236 6 Fission Fragments + 2.5 n1 + b + g + HeatThere are any number of possible fission fragments which can be createdwith a sum total of 236 neutrons. U-238 can be used directly in nuclear fission or as a source for U-235. It is the basis for which both light and heavy waterreactors create energy. This has beendescribed as an "immensely powerful short-range attractive force actingequally between the protons and the neutrons" (Patterson, 1983, 24) or as a"new kind of short-lived nuclear particle, called meson" (Jacobowitz, 1959,18). Pressure water reactors, a type of lightwater reactor, use a cylindrical rod of Boron in varying number andassemblies. The danger of nuclear materials being used to create weapons isalso a concern (Gofman and Tamplin 1974). To prevent the reaction from spinning out of control, the reactor usescontrol rods, typically made of cadmium or boron, which absorb neutrons asreadily as a sponge. There are differences between the two reactor types as thereare pros and cons to nuclear reactors. One suchelement is U-235. The CANDUheavy-water reactor uses variable absorbers such as stainless steel andlight-water compartments in varying numbers. Berkeley:University of California Press. Since the nucleus ispositively charged, the protons repel one another. The control rod configuration and number varydepending on the reactor type. Exposure to the environment could bedeadly in either the form of radiation poisoning, both acute and long-term,or in the form of a nuclear explosion. The controlled reaction is the basis for the nuclear reactor(Glasstone & Sessonoke, 1963). During nuclear fission, the stability of the nuclei isdestroyed when bombarded by a neutron, either slow or fast moving. n1 + 92U238 6 92U239 + gamma rays 92U239 6 93Np239 (neptunium) + beta 93Np239 6 91Pu239 (plutonium) + betaU-238 can be also used to enrich U-235 through a process whereby uraniumhexaflouride gas is moved through consecutive compartments where varyingpressures within these chambers cause U-235 and U-238 to split. The water also serves as areflector, coolant, and shield. As seen in theearlier equations, a small amount of fuel can create a large amount ofenergy. The governmenthas made attempts to regulate the industry, but these laws arecontroversial and subject to change according to country. V. Two types of nuclear reactors include light-water and heavy- waterreactors. All reactors include some provision for instrumentation(Nero, 1979). Another source of anxiety besides economics is regulation and safety.There is always a danger that the process will spin out of control. (1979). But whatever the combination, theresulting fragments are often highly unstable. That someuniformity is necessary is evident, but the willingness of leaders to agreeis not. Despite this negativeattraction, a short-range nuclear force holds them together. When used directly, it is bombarded with slow-moving neutrons untilit transforms into transuranic elements. Boiling water reactors, another light-water reactor, use 177control rods inserted as four sets of assemblies from the bottom. The depth at which these rodsare inserted into the moderator affects how many neutrons they absorb andhelps to control the reaction by absorbing these fission-causing particles. One gram of U-235 will therefore convert . Typically, one fragment will have about14 , and the other will have about 94. As a reflector, it bounces neutrons backto the core. If the cooling system fails or does not act intime, the reaction can proceed to drop through the moderator, the shield,and the concrete building itself. Coal and other energy sources remain more cost-efficient at this point in development (Gofman and Tamplin 1974). Unless their energy is abated passingthrough resistant materials, they will move through matter causingtemporary, permanent, useful, and/or harmful structural changes.(Patterson, 1983, 25). 91 gm into energy.Thus, . The nucleus is comprised of protons, positive particles, andneutrons, uncharged particles of the same mass. It is these heavier, less stable elementswhose nuclei are more prone to the process of nuclear fission. Uranium is thought to be more plentiful than other fuel sourcesand therefore a good source for when these limited resources run out.However, the economic rewards thought feasible have not yet been realized.The cost of fuel sources, refuelling, building the plants, maintaining theplants, disposing of waste, reprocessing used fuel, and 'decommissioning"the structure after its useful period has proven more costly thanoriginally thought. Shouldthe control rods fail to control the reaction, it is possible the fuelsource may melt and leak. The heat is created from the missing mass. Patterson, W. W. & Sesonoke, A. Nuclear Power, 2/e. When the neutronsreleased are less than equal to a multiplication factor of one, thereaction will fizzle out. New York:John F. At the center of the atom, unchangedby the physical and chemical transformations of the whole, the nucleus isfound. Atoms are the basis of matter. Nuclear power, however, would not be feasible without the neutronsfreed by the fission reaction. All reactors also include some form of shielding to protect the plantworkers and the environment from the radiation emitted by the process.Lead is currently the most effective in stopping these particles. As a coolant it provides a means for cooling the core andpassing the heat either directly or indirectly to the turbine generator.As a shield, it provides a medium for the radiation particles to slow down,although it is virtually ineffective for the higher energy particles, gammarays and neutrons. (1959). Nuclear Energy and Power Reactors. The energy released during nuclear fission istransformed into steam which is converted through turbine generators intoelectricity. This steam is initially created by the heat releasedduring fission and is captured and transformed into energy. U-235 ismore unstable than U-238 and can be directly split into fission fragments(Patterson, 1983). R. LWRs have fuel rods while the CANDU arranges its fuel in bundles(Nero, 1979). The heat is created when a small amount of mass istransformed into energy. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.