Question

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?

Reorder the steps so that step 4 appears before step 3.
In step 6, change “mechanical” to “thermal.”

Answer 1

Choose the first correction only: move step 4 before step 3, but do not change “mechanical” to “thermal” in step 6.

Why:
- The nuclear reaction releases light and heat immediately, so “Light and heat are released” should come before the heat is used to make steam.
- The turbine produces mechanical (rotational) energy, and the generator converts that mechanical energy into electrical energy. Changing “mechanical” to “thermal” in step 6 would be incorrect.

Corrected sequence (concise):
1. Nuclear reaction occurs.
2. Nuclear energy is converted to radiant and thermal energy (light and heat are released).
3. Heat is used to generate steam.
4. Steam turns turbines.
5. Mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy.