What is nuclear power?

Nuclear power is a type of thermal power in which electricity is generated from steam produced by the fissioning, or splitting, of uranium 235 atoms being bombarded by neutrons. Uranium is fissionable only in the presence of a moderator. In the case of natural uranium, the moderator must be heavy water.

The major difference between nuclear power generation and coal or natural gas fired generation is the fuel: nuclear power plants use uranium for fuel, and instead of burning it, they exploit the heat created by nuclear fission in the uranium.

Nuclear power plants are more expensive to build and operate than conventional thermal power plants, and construction time is longer. However, the advantages of nuclear power plants include lower fuel costs and the absence of air pollution.