How Do You Turn Nuclear Energy Into Electricity?
Nuclear energy has been used to produce electricity since the 1950s. Today there are 104 nuclear power plants in the United States that produce 20% of the nation’s electricity. Many people think nuclear energy is vital for the future, but fears persist about safety. Enrich naturally occurring uranium 235 (U-235). U-235 is a slightly radioactive element that is fairly common. It contains a small amount (0.7%) of another form of uranium, the isotope U-238. U-238 is more radioactive and emits alpha particles. If the concentration is high enough (about 3%) this radiation will start striking U-235 atoms much more often. When this happens, the U-235 atom splits, releasing energy as heat and 2 or 3 neutrons, which may then strike and split more U-235 atoms, continuing the process (this phenomenon is called nuclear fission). Enriching U-235 means to refine it until it contains 3% U-238. Produce the enriched U-235 in the form of small pellets about 1-inch long and 1/2-inch in diameter. Assemble
