Question

How are radioactive isotopes used in nuclear power plants?

Answer 1

Radioactive isotopes:

Radioactive isotopes emit various rays due to their unstable nuclei because they contain multiple numbers of neutrons in their nuclei.

Explanation:

1. Uranium-235 isotope is used as a fuel in nuclear reactors of nuclear power plants for generating electricity.
2. When the heavy nuclei of U-235 atoms and bombarded with slow-moving neutrons, it breaks up into smaller nuclei with the release of a tremendous amount of heat energy.
3. This heat energy is used to boil the water in boilers to form steam.
4. The steam turns turbines to run the generators to produce electricity.