Water and energy for everyone · Volume two
N02 From the nucleus to heat
- Nucleus
- Heat
- Steam
- Electricity
Things are made of tiny parts called atoms. At the centre is the nucleus. When the nucleus of certain atoms splits, it releases energy. This is called fission. In the material, this energy mainly becomes heat. The heat can produce steam. Steam moves the turbine. The turbine turns the generator, which produces electricity.
Which machine produces electricity?
For the accompanying adult
We return to the sentence in R12: ‘In thermal power stations, the heat source changes.’ This process is explained in Chapters 9–14. Fission is not combustion: direct CO₂ emissions during nuclear power generation are low. Construction, fuel, operation and the end of life still have impacts to assess. The illustration does not imply an absence of radiation or waste.
Sources for further reading R12 F2 F6 · Final section of the book
The journey from the nucleus to light
First we follow the heat. Then we follow the movement. At the end, we find electricity.
- Fission and released energy
- Energy transferred to matter and heat
- Heat transferred to the fluid, producing steam
- Turbine and shaft in motion
- Generator and electricity
Teaching diagram adapted from R12. Heat passes along designed routes; energy is not created from nothing. Different reactor types have different arrangements.