http://www.ck12.org Chapter 3. Chemical Interactions
FIGURE 3.118
Using Energy from Nuclear Fission
If a nuclear chain reaction is uncontrolled, it produces a lot of energy all at once. This is what happens in an atomic
bomb. However, if a nuclear chain reaction is controlled, it produces energy much more slowly. This is what occurs
in a nuclear power plant. The reaction is controlled by inserting rods of nonfissioning material into the fissioning
material. You can see this in theFigure3.119. The radiation from the controlled fission is used to heat water and
turn it to steam. The steam is under pressure and causes a turbine to spin. The spinning turbine runs a generator,
which produces electricity.