BY ALEX DONAHUE, CAROLINE BARLOW, AND JACQUELYN O’REILLY

Nuclear Power

Format

Vocabulary will be listed on the top and underlined

Other important information will be written below.

Nuclear Fission

• Fission: split nucleus of an atom.• Uranium 235: a metal element that has

unstable atomsWhen fission occurs it releases nuclear energy.

In a nuclear chain reaction many nuclei undergo fission in a short span of time.

Uranium 235 is the only element that can easily be split and therefore controlled and

used.

Nuclear Chain Reaction

Radiation

Radiation: emitted during the process of getting nuclear electricity and is also in nuclear waste

The higher then elevation, the more cosmic radiation you receive from outer space.

Food also has radiation in it.

Nuclear Electricity

Nuclear power plant: where nuclear power is made.

Nuclear reactor: heart of the power plant whose job is to fission the atoms and make nuclear electricity.

Electrical generating system: turbine that captures steam.

• Core: formed by fuel and control rods• Pressure vessel: large stainless-steel

container where energy production occurs

Nuclear Electricity Continued

The nuclear power plant is made of many systems, all used to make heat and steam.

Steam (from the split atoms)is used to power the electrical generating system that turns the steam into electricity. The steam cools

and can then be used over and over.

Uses of Nuclear Power

•electricity for civilian use and to help the army•Used in weapons such as atomic and fusion bombs•Helps keep bandages, syringes, cotton, and other medical supplies sterile•Provides power for missions in space

Safety Issues

Cancer from radiation (thyroid cancer)Dangerous waste that needs to be carefully

storedDeath by cancer, effects of wasteExplosions of power plantsContamination of food and drink in area of

power plantsRadiation from nuclear waste

Nuclear Waste

material that nuclear fuel becomes after used in reactor

Very dangerous because it is radioactiveWaste is stored underwater for a few years

before the radiation levels go down and can be stored in large casks.

Low-level Waste High-level Waste

Low levels of radioactivity

Stored underwater for a few days

High levels of radioactivity

Stored underwater for a few years

Different Kinds of Nuclear Waste

Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power

Reduce global warming

Doesn’t pollute airReusable resourceLasts longer then

other resourcesWill be able to meet

needs for cities

DangerousOnce used its waste

can be very radioactive

Causes health issuesIncreases risk of

nuclear terrorism

Statistics

17 countries today use nuclear power as ¼ of their power

About 1/6 of the worlds power is nuclear power

These countries’ have a certain amount of citizens using nuclear power:Lithuania 3/4

France 3/4

America 1/5

Nuclear Accidents

Where/When: A reactor in Britain, 1957What happened: The reactor made plutonium

for atomic bombs and the graphite core caught on fire and melted the uranium fuel. Radioactive smoke escaped into the air.

Outcome: Substances fell on the grass and milk from farms with 190 square miles was banned because it was radioactive. The fire led to scientists and engineers designing safer reactors.

Nuclear Accidents Continued

Where/When: A power plant called Chernobyl in Ukraine 1986

What happened: Nuclear reaction reactors are controlled with control rods so when the rods are lifted out the reaction speeds up. There was a mistake and the reactor went out of control because it had too little rods and the steam blew off the reactor lid. Tons of radioactive substances escaped.

Outcome: it took many days to put out the fire and the wind carried radioactive substances all over Europe and the USA. 3 million people in Ukraine were exposed to radioactive substances and 4,000 cleanup workers died.

Question 1

What is fission?

Question 2

What is the heart of the nuclear power plant called?

Question 3

Name two uses of nuclear power.

Question 4

Name two issues that nuclear power causes.

Question 5

What was the effect of the explosion in Chernobyl?

Question 6

Name one pro and one con of nuclear power.

Question 7

What are the two kinds of nuclear waste?

Question 8

What is the necessary procedure to go through when storing/getting rid of nuclear

waste?

Question 9

How many countries use nuclear power for ¼ of their

power source?

Question 10

What is the only element that can be easily split?