• Question: How does nuclear power work

    Asked by anon-224944 to Simon, Selen, Paul, Nawapat, Natalie, Katy on 14 Nov 2019.
    • Photo: Paul Laurance-Young

      Paul Laurance-Young answered on 14 Nov 2019:

      Very well!

    • Photo: Nawapat Kaweeyanun

      Nawapat Kaweeyanun answered on 18 Nov 2019: last edited 18 Nov 2019 11:29 am

      Some elements (types of atoms) can split on their own. These elements are “radioactive”. A split of a radioactive atom releases a huge amount of energy. We create nuclear power by gathering a sample of these radioactive atoms and creating splits. Then we use the released energy to heat up a nearby tank of water, producing steams that can turn nearby electric motors and producing electricity!

    • Photo: Katy Bruce

      Katy Bruce answered on 18 Nov 2019:

      I’m so glad the physicist answered this one before I got here! I’m not massively clued up on nuclear power I’m afraid. What I can say is that I’ve visited Dungeness nuclear power station and it was absolutely awesome so if you’re into this sort of thing it’s well worth a visit! 🙂

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