# Explain how a nuclear power station uses nuclear fission to generate electricity.

> Eduqas A-Level Physics — 3.6 Nuclear energy · Explain · 5 marks

> Nuclear power stations generate about 15% of the UK's electricity. They use uranium as a fuel instead of burning fossil fuels.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Nuclear fission is the splitting of a large/heavy nucleus (such as uranium)
2. A neutron is absorbed by the uranium nucleus to trigger fission
3. Fission releases a large amount of energy (as heat/thermal energy) and further neutrons
4. The heat released is used to boil water to produce steam, which drives a turbine
5. The turbine drives a generator which produces electricity

## Key terms

- [nuclear fission](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/nuclear-fission)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-a-nuclear-power-station-976794bb) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.