What is nuclear power?
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Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract
There are two main types of power stations generating electricity in Australia today. One uses water coming down from a high level to turn the turbine-generators. The other burns coal or oil to raise steam which turns the turbines. In a nuclear power station, steam spins the turbines but the steam is raised by heat from a nuclear reactor - an atomic furnace. This heat is produced by splitting atoms; the process is called fission. Millions upon millions of fissions per second are required to generate enough heat. By controlling the number of fissions, the required heat level can be maintained.
Description
Keywords
Nuclear power, Electric power, Atoms, Nuclear fuels, Chain reactions, Nuclear power plants
Citation
Australian Atomic Energy Commission. (n.d.). What is nuclear power? Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Atomic Energy Commission.