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 atoms When 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 stored Death by cancer, effects of waste Explosions of power plants Contamination of food and drink in area of power plants Radiation from nuclear waste

Nuclear Waste material that nuclear fuel becomes after used in reactor Very dangerous because it is radioactive Waste 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 air Reusable resource Lasts longer then other resources Will be able to meet needs for cities Dangerous Once used its waste can be very radioactive Causes health issues Increases 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: Lithuania3/4 France3/4 America1/5

Nuclear Accidents Where/When: A reactor in Britain, 1957 What 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?