Nuclear energy: Importance, chemical concepts and nuclear power plant structure

Abstract

Nuclear fission energy is an important part of the energy matrix of several countries, including Brazil. The use of this energy source has advantages, but it also causes wide discussion and concern regarding the risks of accidents. The knowledge of the concepts that involve the nuclear reaction, the behavior of the particles and their particularities is a first opportunity to understand the relevance of the topic. This work reports some recent data on world production and consumption of nuclear energy, gives a brief historical-conceptual approach of nuclear chemistry and also presents the basic scheme of a nuclear fission plant operation, to chemistry professionals, undergraduate and high school students.