A nuclear power plant works on the principle of nuclear fission, which is the splitting of heavy atoms to release energy. Here is a simplified summary of how a nuclear power plant works: Nuclear Reactor: The heart of a nuclear power plant is the reactor, where nuclear fission takes place. The most common nuclear fuel used is uranium-235 or plutonium-239. The fuel is arranged in rods that are inserted into a container called the reactor core. Nuclear Fission: When uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nuclei absorb a neutron, they become unstable and split (fission), releasing energy in the form of heat and more neutrons. These neutrons, in turn, can strike other nuclei and trigger more fission reactions, creating a sustained chain of reactions. Reaction Control: To ensure that the chain reaction does not get out of control, control rods, which are made of neutron-absorbing materials such as cadmium or boron, are used. These rods can be inserted or removed from the reactor core to control the rate of fission. Heat Transfer: The heat generated by nuclear fission is captured by a cooling fluid, which can be water or another liquid. This fluid circulates through the reactor, absorbs the heat, and transports it out of the core. Steam Generation: The heat carried by the cooling fluid is used to heat water in a separate system, producing steam. This process occurs in the steam generator, a key component in PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor) nuclear power plants. Turbine and Generator: The high-pressure steam is then directed to a turbine, where the thermal energy of the steam is converted into mechanical energy. The turbine is connected to a generator, which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Steam Condensation: After passing through the turbine, the steam is cooled in a condenser, turning it back into water. This water is then recirculated back into the system to be reheated, maintaining the closed cycle. Safety Systems: Nuclear power plants are designed with multiple safety systems, including physical barriers to contain radioactive material, automatic shutdown systems, emergency cooling systems, and robust structures to withstand external events such as earthquakes. Essentially, a nuclear power plant uses the energy released by nuclear fission to heat water, produce steam, and turn a turbine coupled to a generator to produce electricity. It is an efficient process that can generate large amounts of electricity with a relatively small amount of fuel and, crucially, without emitting greenhouse gases during operation. Become a member of this channel and help maintain scientific dissemination in Brazil: / @fisicoradioativo Technical Sheet Script: Denis Wiener Presentation and Direction: Denis Wiener Editing: Denis Wiener Does everything: Denis Wiener