Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Before we start with the nuclear reactor , a basic understanding of nuclear fission is necessary. Nuclear fission is the process where the nucleus of a heavy atom splits into fragments of lighter nuclei. This process gives out energy. One of the ways to achieve this is to bombard the nucleus of heavy atoms with neutrinos. Along with producing energy (in terms of the ‘missing mass’), the reaction also produces neutrons. These neutrons can be used to split ... A nuclear reactor (or atomic reactor ) is a facility capable of converting nuclear energy into thermal energy. The reactors have the capacity to initiate, control and maintain the nuclear chain reactions that occur in the core of this facility. In a common nuclear power plant, nuclear reactors are used to produce thermal energy and generate water vapor to drive the steam turbines with which it is obtained. Basic operation A nuclear reactor generates energy through nuclear fission, a process ... Generally, a nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a self-sustained nuclear chain reaction. Since nuclear reactors are used in nuclear power plants, research facilities, or nuclear -propelled ships, their output is thermal energy, or they can be used as a source of neutron radiation.
