Nuclear power

Nuclear power is electricity generated from energy released by nuclear reactions, usually the fission of heavy atomic nuclei. Most nuclear plants use that heat to produce steam that drives turbines.

Nuclear fission: Nuclear fission is the splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy and often additional neutrons. Fission releases the heat that most nuclear power plants convert into electricity.
Nuclear power plant: A nuclear power plant uses one or more nuclear reactors to generate electricity. It is the facility where reactor heat is converted into grid electricity.
Coal power: Coal power generates electricity by burning coal to produce heat, usually for a steam turbine. It also supplies dispatchable electricity, but releases carbon dioxide directly during operation.
Nuclear safety: Nuclear safety is the prevention and mitigation of accidents and harmful radiation exposure in nuclear facilities. Plant design and operating rules aim to limit the consequences of failures.
Chernobyl disaster: The Chernobyl disaster was the 1986 explosion and fire at Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Soviet Ukraine. The accident exposed severe design and governance failures with lasting public-health and political consequences.
Nuclear chain reaction: A nuclear chain reaction is a sequence in which products of one nuclear reaction trigger further reactions. In a reactor, sustained fission depends on neutrons triggering additional fissions.
Electric power generation: Electric power generation is the production of electricity from primary energy sources. Nuclear power is one way to supply electricity alongside other generation technologies.
Natural gas power: Natural gas power generates electricity by burning natural gas, often in gas turbines or combined-cycle plants. It can adjust output quickly, unlike many nuclear plants designed for steady operation.
Nuclear meltdown: A nuclear meltdown is severe overheating that damages or melts nuclear reactor fuel. It is a major reactor-accident hazard, though not synonymous with every nuclear accident.
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident: The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident began in 2011 after an earthquake and tsunami disabled cooling systems at a Japanese nuclear plant. The accident prompted renewed scrutiny of external hazards, backup power, and evacuation planning.

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