How does a nuclear power plant work?
Unlike fossil-fueled plants, nuclear power plants do not burn fuel. The heat needed to create steam in a nuclear power plant comes from the splitting of uranium atoms — a process called fission. During fission, even smaller particles of the atom, called neutrons, are released. The neutrons strike other uranium atoms, releasing additional neutrons that in turn split more uranium atoms. This “chain reaction” provides the heat needed to produce steam and generate electricity.
