Production of Nuclear

Energy And Its Uses

In radioactive decay, the amount of nuclear energy
released is very small and cannot be used as a source of
energy by human beings.
However in nuclear reaction, a huge amount of energy
can be produced.
There are two types of nuclear reaction
-Nuclear fission
-Nuclear fusion
 Nuclear fission

Nuclear fission is a process in which a heavy and

unstable nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei,
roughly equal in size with the release of two or three
neutrons and a huge amount of energy.
1. A neutron bombards a uranium
nucleus an is absorbed.
2. Unstable uranium-235 nucleus is
formed.
3. Nuclear fission
4. This causes the nucleus to split
into two smaller and stable nuclei
of two elements.
5. Two or three neutrons and a lot of
energy are produced during
fission
6. Radioactive radiation also
released together with production
of nuclear energy
 Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is a process in which two light nuclei
combine to form a heavier and more stable nucleus,
with the release of a huge amount of energy.
1. High temperature is required
to give enough kinetic energy
to the nuclei.
2. Two light nuclei collide and
combine. A large amount of
energy is released.
3. Fusion produces heavier and
more stable nucleus which is
the helium nucleus. Single
neutron is released.
4. The nuclear energy produced
by nuclear fusion is safer to be
used as no radioactive
radiation is produced
 How to generate
electricity by nuclear
energy??
Uranium fission is used for fuel in nuclear power
plants to make electricity.
What is fission?

Fission of the uranium-235 nucleus or the plutonium-230 nucleus to

produce nuclear energy takes place in a controlled way in a reactor.

Where does it takes place?

REACTOR VESSEL
The nuclear energy is used to boil water to produce
steam under very high pressure

The steam under high pressure turns a

turbine.
The used steam goes to a condenser where it is
condensed into water. The water is returned to the
reactor for use again.
The turbine spins a dynamo (generator) to produce
electrical energy.

Electrical energy transmitted by cables

to the consumers
NUCLEAR GENERATOR
 CONDENSER

TURBINE REACTOR

GENERATOR
CABLE
 REACTOR (To produce nuclear energy from nuclear fission)

CONDENSER (Turn the steam to water)

TURBINE (Drives a dynamo)

GENERATOR (Produce an electrical energy)

CONSUMER (Transmit the electrical energy to the consumer)

Effect of nuclear Energy production
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Do not pollute the 1. Explosion and
air as do not release environmental
harmful gases. pollution cause
2. Only small death and
amount of deformities of baby.
radioactive 2. The creation of
substance is needed nuclear weapons or
and lower cost atomic bomb for the
involve in producing purpose of war
the electrical energy.
 Effect of Radioactive substances on Living
Things
Short term effects Long term effects
•Diarrhoea •Body cells are
•Vomiting being killed
•Nausea •Mutation
•The body feel very •Cataract
hot •Cancer and
•Hair loss leukemia
•Death
Proper ways of handling Radioactive Substances

1. Place where the radioactive resources are stored must

display the warning symbol of radioactive substances.
2. Workers exposed to radiation should wear protective
clothing.
3. Robots are used in handling dangerous radioactive
substances.
4. Radioactive substances and wastes should be stored and
transported in lead or concrete container.
5. Workers who handle radioactive substances must wear
docimeter to measure the radiation received. This to
prevent over exposure to radioactive radiation.