Transcript Nuclear Energy - Teacher Pages

Nuclear Energy
How will it
affect you?
Nuclear Energy: What is it?
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Fission
– the splitting of an atom by a neutron,
resulting in two or more neutrons being
released and the formation of two new
atoms.
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Nuclear Radiation
– the gain or loss of protons or neutrons
Nuclear Energy: How does it
work?
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Consists of 5 main parts
– Control Rods
– Coolant
– Core
– Moderator
– Reactor Vessel
Nuclear Energy: How does it
work?
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Uranium atom is bombarded with
neutrons, splitting the atom and
releasing energy in the form of heat.
Two additional neutrons released will
continue the reaction (chain reaction)
This energy is collected and used to
produce steam from water, which is
used to turn a turbine to produce
electricity.
Nuclear Reactor
Nuclear Energy: History
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Successfully released in 1942, at the
University of Chicago
Used to build the first atomic bomb
The same bomb dropped on Hiroshima
Nuclear Energy: Where are they
located?
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Along rivers edges, sea coasts
– Use high amounts of water to cool water
being heated
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U.S has 109 operating plants
Canada has 22 operating plants
France has 56 operating plants
Japan has 47 operating plants
Nuclear Energy: Where does it
come from?
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Mining of Uranium that is enriched to
make an isotope
1 kg of uranium is = 3,000 tons of coal =
14,000 barrels of oil
Nuclear Energy: What is it used
for?
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Used primarily for electricity
Nuclear Energy: Pollution

Three mile Island
– 1979 Pennsylvania
– A core meltdown because of a lack of
water to control the amount of heat
produced.
Nuclear Energy: Pollution
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Chernobyl
– 1986
– 31 fatalities, 500 hospitalized,
contaminated crops and water, and
resulted in 17,000 extra cancers
– 10x the radiation then the bomb dropped
on Hiroshima
– Core overheated and there was an
explosion of the lid
Nuclear Energy: Concerns
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Reactor will explode like an atomic
bomb
Melt down of reactor
– Loss of coolant
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Possible hydrogen bubble
– a bubble of explosive gases that may result
from radioactive material
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Possibility of crack in core and radiation
is released into atmosphere
Nuclear Energy: Cons
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Use of nuclear power for weapons
takes 1000 years for materials to no
longer be radioactive.
50% of radioactive wastes are produced
from nuclear plants
Where do we bury the wastes?
Nuclear Energy: Pros
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Increase in technology may help with
burial of wastes.
Annual environmental impacts are low
compared to other fossil fuels.
Fuel is long-lasting: 1 kg of Uranium =
3,000 tons of coal = 12,000 barrels of
oil
Fairly clean, efficient, and clean
burning.
Nuclear Energy Pros