GCSE Design & Technology

Nuclear Power & Fracking

Nuclear power is the most controversial method of energy production. It is

considered a clean and efficient energy source, it provides over 12% of the

world’s electricity.

Nuclear power stations use a fuel called uranium. Energy is released from

uranium when an atom is split by a neutron. The uranium atom is split into

two and as this happens energy is released in the form of radiation and heat.

This nuclear reaction is called the FISSION PROCESS. This nuclear reaction

takes place inside the reactor vessel. Control rods are moved in or out of the

reactor’s core to regulate the amount of power that is generated.

ADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR POWER DISADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR POWER

The amount of electricity produced in

a nuclear power station is equivalent

to that produced by a fossil fuelled

power station.

Nuclear power stations do not buy

fossil fuels to produce electricity and

consequently they do not produce

damaging, polluting gases.

Many developed countries do not

want to rely on oil and gas imported

from the Middle East, which is a

politically unstable part of the world.

France produces 90% of its electricity

from nuclear power, proving that

nuclear power is an economic

alternative to fossil fuel power

stations.

Nuclear reactors can be manufactured

small enough to power ships and

submarines. This is currently used in

military services only.

Very expensive to build a reactor.

The waste product from the reaction

is radioactive and very dangerous to

all forms of life. It must be contained

correctly and carefully stored so that

the radiation does not leak. (Usually

stored underground for millions of

years).

Storing and monitoring the

radioactive waste material for

thousands of years has a high cost.

There have been have been serious

accidents with a small number of

nuclear power stations. The accident

at Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986, led to

30 people being killed and over

100,000 people being evacuated. In

the following years, another 200,000

people were resettled away from the

radioactive area.

SHALE GAS & FRACKING

Shale gas is a natural gas which is trapped within areas of shale in the earth’s crust.

Shale is a sedimentary rock that can be a rich source of petroleum and natural gas.

Fracking is the controversial process of extracting gas from the shale.

It involves drilling a well down into the earth’s crust and then sending a high pressure water, sand and

chemical mixture into the rock to release the trapped gas.

The gas then travels back up the drilled shaft and is collected at the well head.

Environmental campaigners believe fracking can damage the environment by releasing gases and other

toxic particles into the water table. There are also concerns that the fracking process can cause earth

tremors.

GCSE Design & Technology

Nuclear Power & Fracking

Nuclear power is the most controversial method of energy production. It is

considered a clean and efficient energy source, it provides over 12% of the

world’s electricity.

Nuclear power stations use a fuel called uranium. Energy is released from

uranium when an atom is split by a neutron. The uranium atom is split into

two and as this happens energy is released in the form of radiation and heat.

This nuclear reaction is called the FISSION PROCESS. This nuclear reaction

takes place inside the reactor vessel. Control rods are moved in or out of the

reactor’s core to regulate the amount of power that is generated.

ADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR POWER DISADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR POWER

The amount of electricity produced in

a nuclear power station is equivalent

to that produced by a fossil fuelled

power station.

Nuclear power stations do not buy

fossil fuels to produce electricity and

consequently they do not produce

damaging, polluting gases.

Many developed countries do not

want to rely on oil and gas imported

from the Middle East, which is a

politically unstable part of the world.

France produces 90% of its electricity

from nuclear power, proving that

nuclear power is an economic

alternative to fossil fuel power

stations.

Nuclear reactors can be manufactured

small enough to power ships and

submarines. This is currently used in

military services only.

Very expensive to build a reactor.

The waste product from the reaction

is radioactive and very dangerous to

all forms of life. It must be contained

correctly and carefully stored so that

the radiation does not leak. (Usually

stored underground for millions of

years).

Storing and monitoring the

radioactive waste material for

thousands of years has a high cost.

There have been have been serious

accidents with a small number of

nuclear power stations. The accident

at Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986, led to

30 people being killed and over

100,000 people being evacuated. In

the following years, another 200,000

people were resettled away from the

radioactive area.

SHALE GAS & FRACKING

Shale gas is a natural gas which is trapped within areas of shale in the earth’s crust.

Shale is a sedimentary rock that can be a rich source of petroleum and natural gas.

Fracking is the controversial process of extracting gas from the shale.

It involves drilling a well down into the earth’s crust and then sending a high pressure water, sand and

chemical mixture into the rock to release the trapped gas.

The gas then travels back up the drilled shaft and is collected at the well head.

Environmental campaigners believe fracking can damage the environment by releasing gases and other

toxic particles into the water table. There are also concerns that the fracking process can cause earth

tremors.

GCSE Design Technology

1. What fuel do nuclear power stations use? (1 mark)

2. How is energy made in nuclear power stations? (4 marks)

3. Give THREE advantages of nuclear power. (3 marks)

4. Give THREE disadvantages of nuclear power. (3 marks)

5. What gas is fracking used to obtain? (1 mark)

6. What is fracking? (1 mark)

7. How is the gas extracted in fracking? (2 marks)

8. Why is fracking controversial? (2 marks)

ANSWERS

1. Nuclear power stations use uranium.

2. Energy is released from uranium when an atom is split by a neutron. The uranium atom is split into two and as this happens energy is re-

leased in the form of radiation and heat. This reaction is called the FISSION PROCESS. This nuclear reaction takes place inside the reactor

vessel. Control rods are moved in or out of the reactor’s core to regulate the amount of power that is generated.

3. Nuclear power stations do not buy fossil fuels to generation power. The amount of electricity produced in a nuclear power station is equal

to that of a fossil fuel station. It means that developed countries do not have to rely on oil and gas imported from the Middle East, which is

a politically unstable part of the world.

4. It is very expensive to build a reactor. The waste product from the reaction is radioactive and very dangerous to all forms of life. Storing

and monitoring the radioactive waste material for thousands of years has a high cost.

5. Shale gas

6. Fracking is the controversial process of extracting gas from shale.

7. Fracking involves drilling a well down into the earth’s crust and then sending a high pressure water, sand and chemical mixture into the rock

to release the trapped gas.

8. Environmental campaigners believe fracking can damage the environment by releasing gases and other toxic particles into the water table.

There are also concerns that the fracking process can cause earth tremors.

Nuclear Power & Fracking

GCSE Design Technology

1. What fuel do nuclear power stations use? (1 mark)

2. How is energy made in nuclear power stations? (4 marks)

3. Give THREE advantages of nuclear power. (3 marks)

4. Give THREE disadvantages of nuclear power. (3 marks)

5. What gas is fracking used to obtain? (1 mark)

6. What is fracking? (1 mark)

7. How is the gas extracted in fracking? (2 marks)

8. Why is fracking controversial? (2 marks)

ANSWERS

1. Nuclear power stations use uranium.

2. Energy is released from uranium when an atom is split by a neutron. The uranium atom is split into two and as this happens energy is re-

leased in the form of radiation and heat. This reaction is called the FISSION PROCESS. This nuclear reaction takes place inside the reactor

vessel. Control rods are moved in or out of the reactor’s core to regulate the amount of power that is generated.

3. Nuclear power stations do not buy fossil fuels to generation power. The amount of electricity produced in a nuclear power station is equal

to that of a fossil fuel station. It means that developed countries do not have to rely on oil and gas imported from the Middle East, which is

a politically unstable part of the world.

4. It is very expensive to build a reactor. The waste product from the reaction is radioactive and very dangerous to all forms of life. Storing

and monitoring the radioactive waste material for thousands of years has a high cost.

5. Shale gas

6. Fracking is the controversial process of extracting gas from shale.

7. Fracking involves drilling a well down into the earth’s crust and then sending a high pressure water, sand and chemical mixture into the rock

to release the trapped gas.

8. Environmental campaigners believe fracking can damage the environment by releasing gases and other toxic particles into the water table.

There are also concerns that the fracking process can cause earth tremors.

Nuclear Power & Fracking