How do nuclear power plants make electricity?
Nuclear power plants use the energy created by nuclear reactions to heat water into steam. The steam turns a huge turbine, which spins a coil of wire inside a magnetic field. This causes electrons to flow through the wire coil, creating an electric current. At some nuclear plants, water from a nearby lake, river or bay gets pumped through a heat exchange system that cools down the steam so that it can be recycled through the plant over and over. The heat exchange system keeps the reactor cooling water completely separate from the lake or river water, so no nuclear radiation is released. And local fishermen, skiers and vacationers enjoy the heated water, which attracts fish and makes swimming and water skiing possible for much longer into winter and much earlier in spring than normal. Aside from the lack of greenhouse gas emissions, however, other environmental, health and safety hazards from nuclear power plants must be considered. In addition, environmental concerns are blocking the m
