Question

Draw a diagram of a nuclear power plant and label the parts.

Answer 1

1. A facility that converts atomic energy to useful energy is termed nuclear power plant.
2. Nuclear fission reactions take place inside the core.

Working of the power plant:

1. Heat is generated inside the reactor vessel due to nuclear fission reactions.
2. This heats the water until it evaporates and steam is produced.
3. The steam which is under high pressure drives the turbines.
4. These turbines further drive the generators that are connected to them and this leads to the production of electrical energy.
5. Steam is further condensed by the cooling tower.
6. Hence here, nuclear energy is converted to heat energy, which is again converted to mechanical energy and finally to electrical energy.

Function of important parts:

1. Control rods: They absorb neutrons to inhibit further chain reactions. They are usually made of steel with a considerable amount of cadmium or boron for the purpose of neutron absorption.
2. Cooling tower: It is used to condense the steam to water.
3. Fuel rods: They contain uranium that is used for fission reactions
4. Turbine: It drives the alternator for producing electrical energy.
5. Alternator: It is a generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. The energy is produced in the form of AC(alternating current)