A nuclear power station delivers a constant electrical output of to the grid

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Nuclear physics · Nuclear physics

Problem

A nuclear power station delivers a constant electrical output of 1.0 GW1.0\,\text{GW} to the grid. Its overall thermal efficiency (ratio of electrical energy delivered to nuclear energy produced in the reactor core) is 35%35\%. Take c=3.0×108 m s−1c = 3.0\times10^8\,\text{m\,s}^{-1}. (i) Find the electrical energy supplied to consumers in one calendar day. (ii) Determine the total nuclear energy that must be produced in the same period, taking the given efficiency into account. (iii) Hence calculate the mass that must be converted into energy in the reactor core each day.

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