Concept explainers
Similarity and the difference between the nuclear reactor and the conventional fossil-fuel power plant.
Answer to Problem 17RQ
The nuclear reactor and the conventional fossil-fuel both use heat, but in the nuclear reactor, radioactive material is used to generate heat, while in the conventional fossil-fuel, the main fuel is a fossil fuel.
Explanation of Solution
The similarity between the nuclear reactor and the conventional fossil-fuel is:
- They both utilize a resource
- Steam is used to generate the electricity in both of these methods
- They both use heat to turn the water into the steam
- The useful product for both methods is heat
- Both are not good for the planet, both methods harm the environment.
The difference between the nuclear reactor and the conventional fossil-fuel is shown below.
Nuclear reactor | Conventional fossil fuel |
---|---|
1. The fuel which is used in the nuclear reactor is radioactive elements like uranium, Plutonium and many more. | 1. The fuel used in conventional fossil fuel is fossil fuels like coal, crude oil, and natural gases. |
2. In nuclear fission, the air is not required. | 2. In the combustion of fossil, fuel-air is required. |
3. It is a very costly process to generate electricity. | 3. It is a cheaper process than nuclear power. |
4. Fossil fuel power stations are powered by the local supplies. | 4. Nuclear power stations are not powered by the local supplies. |
Conclusion:
Therefore, the nuclear reactor and the conventional fossil-fuel both use heat, but in the nuclear reactor, radioactive material is used to generate heat, while in the conventional fossil-fuel, the main fuel is a fossil fuel.
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