Question

How can nuclear fission be used to generate electricity?

Answer 1

So this is how a normal thermal power plant works:

1. Coal and hot air (oxygen) react and the coal heats up
2. The heat is used to generate steam from water.
3. The steam turns the turbine.
4. This causes electricity to be generated.

Now in nuclear fission:

1. The uranium isotope is split by a neutron.
2. This split causes an enormous amount of energy and heat to be released.
3. This heat is used to heat water and produce steam.
4. The steam turns the turbine and electricity is generated.

Basically, it's the same as a thermal power plant but using uranium as fuel.