Nuclear Power Plant: 1GW/Year CO2 Emissions

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the mass equivalent of energy produced by a nuclear power plant generating 1 GW over the course of a year, referencing the mass-energy equivalence principle E=mc².

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to relate power output in watts to energy over time and subsequently to mass using E=mc². Some participants clarify that mass is consumed rather than produced in this context and provide insights on converting watts to energy.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the conversion of power to energy and the implications of mass-energy equivalence. Guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between watts and joules, but no consensus has been reached on the specific calculations.

Contextual Notes

The original poster acknowledges a misunderstanding regarding the forum category, indicating a potential lack of familiarity with the topic. There may be assumptions about the definitions of mass and energy that are being questioned.

VincentX
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I think this might be an easy one but I am stucked right now and would really appreciate some help.

How much mas is produced under a year by a nuclear power plant that gives 1,0 GW.

Edit: ok seems like i made the newbie mistake to post this in the wrong forum, please forgive me moderator lords.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
How much mass is produced? The nuclear power plant essentially converts mass into energy -- mass is not produced, it is consumed.

- Warren
 
Ok, sorry for my bad language. How much mas is equal to the energy as being used under a year.

Offcourse i know E=mc^2 but how do i convert the watt to energy and calculate the mas under a year.
 
A watt is a Joule per second. So you've got 10^9 of them times the number of seconds in a year.
 
Thank you very much that was exactly what i needed to know:smile:
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Nuclear power plant vs coal power plant efficiency
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
6K
Mass of the fuel consumed at the reactor each year?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Volume of water required to cool thermal/nuclear plants?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
How is Uranium refined so it can be used in nuclear reactors?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Which Power Plant Emits More Heat: Nuclear or Fossil Fuel?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Waste power plant efficiency math problem
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Three mile Island Power Plant to be Shut Down
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
5K
How Much Mass Converts to Energy in a Nuclear Plant Over a Month?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Understanding Nuclear Fission in Power Plants
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Nuclear fusion power plants - why is it taking so long to make them?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
6K