Nuclear Fission Powers Steam Turbines in Electricity Generation

Steps:

• Identify the core process: Nuclear reactors use fission of uranium-235 nuclei to release heat energy.
• Trace energy transfer: This heat warms water in a closed loop to produce high-pressure steam.
• Explain electricity production: Steam drives turbines connected to generators, converting mechanical energy to electrical energy.
• Evaluate statements: Match each choice to verified nuclear power mechanics to find the accurate description.

Why C is correct:

• Nuclear reactors generate thermal energy via fission, which boils water to create steam that powers turbines, as per the standard Rankine cycle in power plants.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Incomplete and inaccurate; the reaction is uranium nuclei splitting (fission), not vaguely stated.
• B: Incorrect process name; reactors use nuclear fission, not fusion, which occurs in stars.
• D: Wrong waste; major byproducts are radioactive isotopes like cesium-137, not CO2 from combustion.

Final answer: C