Describe how nuclear reactions are used in nuclear power stations to generate electrical energy

In nuclear power stations, nuclear fuels like uranium and plutonium undergo controlled chain reactions in the reactor to produce heat energy. The chain reaction is controlled by Boron control rods. As boron is a non-fissile material it will not undergo a fission reaction when bombarded with neutrons. When the boron absorbs the neutrons, the chain reaction will slow down due to the lack of neutrons producing reactions. In times of high energy demand, control rods are raised, allowing more reactions to take place, and control rods are lowered in times of low demand to absorb neutrons and lower the number of reactions and the heat energy produced. The heat from the nuclear reaction is used to change water into steam in the boiler, this steam drives the turbine as heat energy is converted to kinetic energy. This then causes the production of electrical energy from kinetic energy.