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Question 3 • Physical Science

Savion listed the steps involved when nuclear power plants generate electricity. Nuclear reaction occurs. Nuclear energy is converted to radiant and thermal energy. Heat is used to generate steam. Light and heat are released. Steam turns turbines. Mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy. Which best explains how to correct Savion’s error?

Answer
A
In step 6, change “mechanical” to “thermal.”
B
Reorder the steps so that step 6 appears before step 5.
C
In step 2, change “radiant and thermal ” to “chemical and mechanical.”
D
Reorder the steps so that step 4 appears before step 3.

Explanation

The plant first uses heat to generate steam, and then the steam turns the turbines. Nuclear reactions do not release light and heat to the surroundings as a separate step before steam is generated; the heat is used to produce the steam. So step 4, “Light and heat are released,” should come before step 3, “Heat is used to generate steam,” to put the sequence in order. The correct choice is D.

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