Question

Write the uses of nuclear reactors.

Answer 1

A nuclear reactor is a device which is used to start and control a nuclear chain reaction. Nuclear reactors are usually used at nuclear power plants for the generation of electricity and in nuclear marine propulsion.

Complete step by step answer:
Nuclear reactors can initiate and control a self-sustaining (does not require any foreign objects or elements) series of nuclear fissions. Nuclear reactors are used as research tools, also as systems for producing radioactive isotopes, and most importantly as energy sources for nuclear power plants.Nuclear reactors operate on the principle of nuclear fission, the process in which a large atomic nucleus splits into two smaller nuclear fragments. The nuclear fragments are in very excited states and emit neutrons, alpha particles and photons.
Nuclear reactors are used at nuclear power plants for electricity generation and in nuclear marine propulsion. Heat from nuclear fission is passed to water which in turn runs through steam turbines and generates electricity. About 10% of the world's electricity is produced from nuclear energy.Nuclear reactors are used to produce isotopes (radioisotopes) of many radioactive elements like Uranium, Radium. Radioisotopes and radiation used in food and agriculture are helping to reduce chronic undernourishment. Nuclear reactors are enormously used in nuclear power plants because of zero-carbon emissions, because of their reliability, high energy density and low-cost energy.

Note: Nuclear reactors have uses as well as disadvantages. Nuclear reactors require intense water, they result in a lot of radioactive waste, can have a risk of very dangerous nuclear accidents, they result in an environmental impact and nuclear energy is a non-renewable source of energy.