Nuclear energy..

Is the energy released by the nucleus of an atom as the result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or radioactive decay. Although they are tiny, atoms have a large amount of energy holding their nuclei together. Certain isotopes of some elements can be split and will release part of their energy as heat. This splitting is called fission. The heat released in fission can be used to help generate electricity in power plants.

Uranium-235 (U-235) is one of the isotopes that fissions easily. During fission, U-235 atoms absorb loose neutrons.  This causes U-235 to become unstable and split into two light atoms called fission products.

The combined mass of the fission products is less than that of the original U-235. The reduction occurs because some of the matter changes into energy. The energy is released as two or three neutrons are released along with the heat. These neutrons may hit other atoms, causing more fission.

A series of fissions is called a chain reaction. If enough uranium is brought together under the right conditions, a continuous chain reaction occurs. This is called a self-sustaining chain reaction.  A self-sustaining chain reaction creates a great deal of heat, which can be used to help generate electricity.

Nuclear power plants generate electricity like any other steam-electric power plant. Water is heated, and steam from the boiling water turns turbines and generates electricity. The main difference in the various types of steam-electric plants is the heat source.  Heat from a self- sustaining chain reaction boils the water in a nuclear power plant.  Coal, oil, or gas is burned in other power plants to heat the water.