![]() In a nuclear power plant, operators artificially spur on, or induce, that fission reaction by bombarding the uranium-filled fuel rods with neutrons from prior fission reactions. See, uranium and other radioactive elements already undergo spontaneous fission at very slow rates without any human help. Fission refers to when a material's atoms steadily split in two, releasing a lot of energy and a heat we call decay heat. Now head to the next page to learn what happens inside a healthy reactor.Ī nuclear power plant operates similarly, only the heat comes from an induced fission reaction that occurs in the reactor. Out-of-control heat, on the other hand, can cause the reactor itself to melt and contaminate the surrounding environment with dangerous radiation. Properly controlled heat inside a reactor helps generate power. In this article, we'll break down how a nuclear reactor works and how a meltdown can occur.ĭon't worry too much over complex equations, because the whole situation ultimately comes down to heat. Nuclear Regulatory Commission officially recognizes the term "nuclear meltdown," but the words continue to inspire fear. ![]() Interestingly enough, neither the IAEA nor the U.S. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ranks nuclear events on a scale of zero to seven, ranging from a mere deviation with no safety significance (level 0) to a major accident (level 7) such as Chernobyl in which widespread health and environmental damage occurs. Which creates deserted cities and landmarks of destruction like the elephant's foot.
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