Chapter 6: Nuclear Power

A brief account of atomic structure is given from the discovery of the electron to quantum mechanics. The relevance of quantum mechanics to technologies in the 21st century such as quantum computing and transistors is referred to. The discovery of nuclear fission, as well as nuclear reactions in uranium and thorium are described. Nuclear fuel and different types of thermal nuclear reactors are outlined including, Magnox, advanced gas-cooled reactors, CANDU reactors and pressurised water reactors. Small modular reactors are also covered, as well as fast breeder reactors and gel-precipitated fuel. The chapter ends with a discussion of nuclear waste.