The whole function process of a nuclear reactor begins inside the core of the reactor itself. The central source of power is heat energy generated by a controlled chain reaction of nuclear fission, produced by either uranium or plutonium. Either of these elements when struck by a neutron will subsequently split, as is done within the core once the materials have been inserted. As a result of the fission of these large atoms, new, much smaller atoms are created, these being a by-product, radiation and more neutrons that are set free once the larger atom breaks. The chain reaction is caused by the neutrons released from an initial split speeding up and colliding with other plutonium or uranium atoms. This chain reaction is controlled either by graphite rods or water, and the controllers are known as neutron modulators as they are responsible for regulating the flow of neutrons that are used for the fission process.

Once the heat produced by the reaction is released, the nuclear reactor will produce heat in just the same fashion as other thermal-based power plant, whereby the heat produced converts water into steam and the steam, in turn, turns the turbine blades that power the generator.

The energy produced by this process is extremely cost-effective and generates far less pollution than is produced by fossil fuels. However, the planning, building and operating of nuclear plants is lengthy, complex and costly, so critics often suggest that the costs saved eventually are not truly representative of the costs incurred by the entire nuclear process, both economically and environmentally.

Scientists also argue about the best ways to store waste generated by the nuclear power production process. Some believe that the waste should be buried in concrete containers deep in the Earth, while other suggest firing the waste into space. Both these options have been heavily considered as the half-life for the radioactive elements that are produced, or the time necessary for the elements to break down into even half of their current state, is extremely long and therefore quite dangerous to people.

Because of the concern of waste products a number of different types of nuclear power plants have been developed with better processing abilities. Another type is the breeder reactor, which runs similarly to the standard reactor described above except that it uses plutonium rather than uranium as its fuel source. The plutonium can also be reprocessed after it has been taken from the reactor’s core in order to improve the fuel’s efficiency. After recycling it can be sent back to the plant and re-used and will create more power with each re-usage until, eventually, it can no longer be processed and must be disposed of.

Nuclear reactors generally incur three fundamental risks. Firstly, there is the danger of improper handling of radioactive materials and waste, including disposal which can lead to health problems associated with exposure to radioactive materials (such as various forms of cancer). Secondly, there is the possible inability to control the reactor’s chain reaction, as evidenced by the Chernobyl disaster in the 1980s where the plant reached 150 times its normal operating power level until the pressure inside the plant caused it to literally blow apart. Finally, there is the threat of terrorist attack on a nuclear facility that would lead to one of the two aforementioned risks.