Nuclear Energy Chapter 12 Section 3

Standard S 6.6.a Students know the utility of energy sources is determined by factors that are involved in converting these sources to useful forms and the consequences of the conversation process S 6.6b Students know different natural energy and material resources and how to classify them as renewable and non-renewable

Language of the Discipline Nucleus Nuclear fission Reactor vessel Fuel rod Control rod Meltdown Nuclear fusion

Anticipatory Set Line up 15 dominoes to form a triangle Knock over the first one What happened? Set it up again and remove the 3 rd line Knock them over What happened now?

Nuclear Fission Central core of an atom that contains a proton and neutron is a nucleus Nuclear reactions convert matter into energy E=mc2 E is energy M represents mass C is the speed of light

Nuclear Fission The splitting of an atom’s nucleus into 2 smaller nuclei When the neutron hits the U-235 nucleus, the nucleus splits apart into 2 smaller nuclei and 2 or more neutrons If any neutrons strikes another nucleus, the fission reaction is repeated More neutrons and more energy are released Becomes a chain reaction (like the dominoes)

Nuclear Fission If a nuclear chain reaction is not controlled, it creates a huge explosion. Atomic bomb A few kilograms of matter explode with more force that thousands tons of dynamite If it is controlled, it can be used to generate electricity Read Summary on page

Nuclear Power Plants Heat released from fission is used to change water into steam. The steam then turns the blades of a turbine to generate electricity. Uranium fuel is used to power these plants Nonrenewable resources Reactor vessel: where nuclear fission occurs Fuel Rods: holds pellets of uranium Control Rods: inserted between fuel rods to slow the speed of chain reactions.

Pros and Cons Safety concern Meltdowns of fuel rods Caused a series of explosions Radioactive materials in environment Don’t pollute the air Help solve the problem of global warming Read summary on page

Quest to Control Fusion 2 hydrogen nuclei combine to create a helium nucleus, which has slightly less mass than 2 hydrogen nuclei. The lost mass is converted to large amounts of energy. Nuclear Fusion: combining of 2 atomic nuclei to produce a single larger nucleus Sun produces energy Water is a source of its fuel Renewable resource Only happens at extremely high pressure and temperature Read Summary on page 498

Checking of Understanding What happens in a nuclear chain reaction? What is the purpose of a control rod? What is nuclear fission?

Guided Practice Independent Practice Worksheet/workbook Stop! Have your answers checked by teacher! Study Guide problems