Nuclear Power Ps 5c: I will compare and contrast Fission and Fusion

Uses of Nuclear Reactions Make Electricity Energy source for submarines Smoke detectors Finding the age of really old things (fossils) Medicine Weapons Space vehicles

There are 2 kinds of nuclear reactions: 1. Fusion The combination of 2 smaller atoms into a bigger one When 2 small atoms join together, they give off energy

Energy and Fusion The energy of the sun comes from fusion of hydrogen atoms into helium.

Human Induced Fusion One way to fuse nucleii is to hit them with fast moving particles. Particle Accelerator

Human Induced Fusion Another way to fuse nucleii is to heat the matter to a plasma state The extreme kinetic energy will cause the nucleii to hit and fuse together

Hydrogen Bomb - Fusion In a Hydrogen Bomb, a HUGE amount of energy is released when the Hydrogen nucleii bond together.

Fusion for Energy Scientists might be close to Fusion as an energy source.

Benefits of Fusion for Energy PROS 2 ingredients (H and Li) are cheap and plentiful No pollution No global warming Easy to control (stop) Lots of energy Doesn’t take up much space (like solar does)

Drawbacks of Fusion for Energy CONS Hasn’t actually been built yet – this is still in the future! You have to put more energy in that you get out (but scientists are working on this problem!) Very high temperatures needed Radioactive waste (goes away in 12 years)

Now for the other kind of Nuclear Energy…

2. Fission A large atom splits into smaller atoms When big atoms split, they give off energy.

Uranium Very large elements, like Uranium, split apart easily This is because the Strong Nuclear Force can only work at close distances. That’s a lot of protons!

Chain reaction When the uranium atom splits, neutrons fly off at high speeds, causing the next atom to split.

Radioactivity Other particles (alpha, beta and gamma) also shoot out of the nucleus at very high speeds. These are radioactive – harmful to living things!

create electricity

There are 104 Nuclear Power plants in the US

Nuclear Power in VA Virginia has 2 nuclear power plants They make 1 / 3 of the state’s electricity Haymarket electricity comes from nuclear, coal, and natural gas Surry Plant (near Jamestown, VA)

Benefits of Fission for Energy PROS The technology already exists (we use it now). No carbon pollution and no global warming There is plenty of fuel in our own country (compared to oil) Lots of energy for small amount of fuel Doesn’t take up much space (like solar does)

CONS Radioactive particles are VERY harmful to humans (can cause birth defects by changing the DNA) Dangerous waste can last 10,000 years or more! Accidents can happen Costs a lot to build a reactor Constant water supply is needed Drawbacks of Fission for Energy

Fusion vs. Fission

Fusion vs. Fission Gives a lot of energy No Carbon big atoms split Already done Radioactive waste (lasts 10,000 years or more) Small atoms join together Plenty of fuel Can’t do yet Gives the most energy Radioactive waste only lasts 12 years