so nuclear reactors generate power by splitting atoms but what actually splits these atoms?

Question

so nuclear reactors generate power by splitting atoms but what actually splits these atoms?

In: 6

Answer 1

Some atoms are unstable and so naturally want to fall apart. An example of such an atom is Uranium. When an unstable atom like Uranium falls apart, it releases energy/neutrons. This natural release of energy is what we call “radioactivity”.

So if you pile up a whole bunch of Uranium together, some atoms will randomly decay releasing neutrons. These neutrons can then strike other uranium atoms, causing THOSE to split apart, releasing more neutrons and thus perpetuating the cycle of splitting atoms.

Now, it is a little bit more complicated than that. It’s a misconception that the neutrons “shatter” the atoms upon impact. What actually happens is that the neutron is absorbed by a Uranium atom, making it even MORE unstable and thus more likely to naturally decay. This is why (if you’ve ever seen the TV show “Chernobyl” they kept referring to the graphite as a “neutron flux moderator”. The graphite *slows down* (moderates) the neutrons released from decayed Uranium nuclei, making them *more likely* to be absorbed by other Uranium atoms.