THERMODYNAMICS What the high school science student should know to better understand nuclear energy Fred Gunnerson, Ph.D. University of Idaho gunner@if.uidaho.edu GNEP National Physics Teachers Workshop Idaho Falls, ID July 15-20, 2007

THERMODYNAMICS ‘Zeroth Law’ (Temperature) First Law (Energy) Second Law (Entropy and the Heat Engine)

0th Law Temperature Measurement / Thermometer Calibration What is Temperature? Temperature scales Thermal Equilibrium

1st Law energy / units / relation to force CONSERVATION OF ENERGY Types of Energy Potential Kinetic Work = F x d Internal / Heat Nuclear (E=mc2 nucleon binding energy) Radiant (EM spectrum) Chemical Electrical Etc…… Uses of Energy Electricity Transportation Propulsion Etc… Sources of Energy Fossil Fuel Nuclear (fission & fusion) Renewable Etc…….

2nd Law Entropy and the Heat Engine ηmax = 1 – (Tcold / Thot) Thot Tcold Heat Engine Work Carnot Heat Engine

A nuclear reactor is a source of heat A nuclear power plant is a heat engine HEAT is generated by fission and radioactive decay Heat boils water to steam, which turns a trubine, which turns a generator which makes electricity. Rankine Cycle

A nuclear reactor is also a source of radiations neutrons / gamma rays / x-rays / alpha-beta-gamma / etc. Isotope Production Materials R&D

Nuclear Power for Hydrogen Production

Fast-spectrum reactor nuclear transmutaion: “burn the waste”

NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE Advance Fuel Cycle Initiative - AFCI

Possible Advantages of Fast Reactors Better use of fuels Less waste with shorter half-lives

ADVANCED TEST REACTOR - ATR Advanced Fuels Testing oxide / nitride / carbide / inert matrix / MOX / etc. Materials Testing radiation damage / thermophysical properties / cross-sections / radiography / etc. Isotope production

Thanks other questions?