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Microscope

Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics

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Rocket

Theme A - Space, Time & Motion

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Thermometer

Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter

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Water Wave

Theme C - Wave Behaviour 

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Magnifying Glass Tilted Right

Theme D - Fields

What are we discussing? Thermal fission reactors. There are many types, but our star of the show is the Pressurized-Water Reactor (PWR)!

<ul>
	<li>Uses: Uranium-235 as fuel.</li>
	<li>Objective: Convert nuclear energy (from fission) into steam to turn turbines connected to an electrical generator. Think of it like using boiling water to spin a pinwheel!</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Found as ore worldwide.</li>
	<li>Composition
	<ul>
		<li>99.3% Uranium-238 (U-238)</li>
		<li>0.7% Uranium-235 (U-235)</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
</ul>

🍕 Real-World Example: Imagine you order a pizza, but you only want the toppings on 0.7% of it. The rest is the base you&#39;re not interested in for this meal!

<ul>
	<li>Only U-235 is used for the fission process.</li>
	<li>U-238 is a party pooper! It absorbs neutrons, preventing a self-sustaining fission reaction.</li>
	<li>The ore needs to be enriched to have around 3% U-235 to be reactor-ready.</li>
</ul>

📖 Vocabulary Check

<ul>
	<li>Enriched: When the U-235 proportion is boosted in the uranium ore.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Think of them as baguettes made of uranium!</li>
	<li>Enriched uranium is formed into these long cylinders and placed into the reactor&#39;s core.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>After emission, neutrons zoom around at a speed of about 104 kms-1.</li>
	<li>But, for a successful fission reaction, they need to chill a bit!</li>
	<li>Optimal speed: 2kms-1 (like switching from a race car&#39;s speed to a bicycle&#39;s speed!)</li>
	<li>Energy: 0.025eV.</li>
	<li>Neutrons at this speed are called thermal neutrons.</li>
</ul>

🎈Fun Fact:

<ul>
	<li>This slowing down is like cooling down a hyperactive child with a calming activity. It&#39;s called moderation.</li>
</ul>

Steam from nuclear reactions turns turbines, which are connected to generators, and voila! We have electricity.

<ul>
	<li>Nuclear reactors, especially the PWR, use U-235 for fission.</li>
	<li>U-235 needs to be enriched from natural ores to be useful.</li>
	<li>Neutrons are hyper initially, but they need to be moderated for effective fission.</li>
</ul>

Happy Studying! 📘🎉

Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics

Unlocking Nuclear Secrets - The PWR Reactor Explained!

Table of content

Introduction 🔍

Pressurized-Water Reactor (PWR) 🌟

Where does Uranium come from? 🌍

Why do we focus on U-235? 🔑

Unlock the Full Content!

Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics

Unlocking Nuclear Secrets - The PWR Reactor Explained!

Table of content

Introduction 🔍

Pressurized-Water Reactor (PWR) 🌟

Where does Uranium come from? 🌍

Why do we focus on U-235? 🔑

Unlock the Full Content!