SOURCES OF

ENERGY
NUCLEAR ENERGY
A reaction in which
the nucleus of an
atom undergoes a
change to form a new
atom and releases an
enormous amount of
energy is called
nuclear energy
TWO WAYS OF OBTAINING NUCLEAR
ENERGY

Nuclear Nuclear
Fission Fusion
• In this process, a nucleus of
heavy unstable element is
bombarded with slow thermal
neutrons which splits the nucleus
into two stable elements.
• For example

• In the reaction, the mass of

products is less than the mass of
reactants as some amount of
matter is converted into energy.
• This loss of mass is given by
Einstein’s famous equation
• A kind of reaction where the
particle which initiates the
reaction is also produced during
reaction further and further to
make it self-propagating and
continuous is called a chain
reaction.
• For example: In the fission of
uranium- 235 energy and some
extra neutrons are produced
which further bombard with
other atoms causing a chain
reaction until the fuel uranium-
235 is completed consumed or
the neutrons are removed.
 NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
The set up used for generating electricity from heat energy released
in a controlled nuclear fission reaction is called a nuclear power plant.

Basic Principle: The heat

produced in a controlled
nuclear fission is used to
make high pressurised steam
which runs the turbine. The
rotatory motion of the turbine
rotates the alternator of the of TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant , USA
the generator and electricity is
produced.
 COMPONENTS OF
• MODERATOR: Slows down
the fast neutrons released NUCLEAR POWER
during the fission reaction PLANT
to carry out further fission
reaction is called a
moderator.
• CONTROL RODS: Absorbs
excess neutrons released
during the fission reaction
are control rods.
• COOLANT: Transfers heat
produced in nuclear reactor
to the water in heat
exchanger for producing
steam. Liquid sodium and
heavy water are generally
used as coolants.
• HEAT EXCHANGER: The
heat brought by the
coolant from the reactor
converts water into steam
at high temperature and
pressure in the heat
exchanger.
• STEAM TURBINE: The
steam generator in heat
exchanger is used to run
the steam turbine.
• ELECTRIC GENERATOR:
When the steam turbine
rotates, the coil of the
electric generator (fixed
to the shaft of turbine)
also rotates and produces
electricity.
• In this reaction, nucleus of two
lighter elements are fused to
form a bigger element.
• This reaction requires a very
high of temperature to take
place. One needs a temperature
of order 10^9 K to fuse
deuterons.
• Yet fusion is the source of
energy in the sun which it
ultimately radiates to universe
including earth.
 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
ADVANTAGES
• Tremendous amount of
energy released from a very
small amount of nuclear
fuel.
• Energy (electricity) can be
produced for a long period
of time.
• Does not produce pollution
unlike other sources of
energy.
DISADVANTAGES
• Expensive installation : The cost
of installation of a nuclear power
plant is very high.
• High risk of environment
contamination
• The limited availability of
uranium makes a large – scale
use of nuclear energy prohibitive