Nuclear Power

Learning Intentions To learn about the use of nuclear power including the advantages and disadvantages of its use. Success Criteria Describe how nuclear fission works to produce energy. State at least two advantages of nuclear power. State at least two disadvantages of nuclear power

Lesson Starter State one advantage of nuclear power State one disadvantage of nuclear power Describe how nuclear power works to produce energy

How it works Nuclear power plants work in a very similar way to fossil fuel power plants. The difference is where the source of heat is produced, which warms the water. In nuclear energy heat is produce from the splitting of uranium atoms, which is know as nuclear fission. http://www.twigonglow.com/films/nuclear-power-1339/

United Kingdom vs France

Nuclear Fission of Uranium - 235 Heat Energy!!! http://www.twigonglow.com/search/alt/?q=Nuclear+power+plants

Questions Name the source of energy for nuclear power. Which country gains 80% of its energy from nuclear power? What is the term used to describe the splitting of the atom? What type of energy is released when the atom is split?

Lesson Starter Draw a diagram of the nuclear fission of uranium What are two disadvantages of nuclear power? What are two advantages of nuclear power?

Nuclear Power Station Nuclear  Heat Heat  Kinetic Kinetic  Electrical Nuclear  Heat

Nuclear- Energy Changes The nuclear energy is converted into heat energy in the nuclear reactor. This heat energy is used to turn water into steam which moves (kinetic energy) down pipes. This moving steam drives turbines, producing electrical energy.

Advantages of Nuclear Power A small quantity of nuclear fuel produces a lot of electricity. 1kg of enriched uranium produces the same amount of electricity as 14,000kg of coal!! Nuclear power stations do not produce any carbon dioxide from nuclear fission so they don’t cause as much pollution as burning fossil fuels. Many scientists believe that Scotland needs nuclear power stations to produce electricity well into the future as renewable energy will not be enough but the Scottish government is against building any more nuclear power stations in Scotland.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Nuclear power stations may be unpopular with people who are concerned about how safe they are. People are worried about a radiation leak such as what happened at Chernobyl in the Ukraine and at Fukushima in Japan. Nuclear energy is not renewable. When uranium supplies runs out they cannot be replaced. Nuclear energy produces radioactive waste which must be buried in sealed containers for thousands of years. http://www.twigonglow.com/films/nuclear-waste-1344/

The Chernobyl Disaster http://www.twigonglow.com/films/chernobyl-disaster-1343/

Life in the deadzone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEmms6vn-p8

Lesson Starter What does the term renewable energy mean? List all the types of renewable energy. In Scotland what type of renewable energy would produce the greatest quantity of energy? (think about the landscape)

Learning Intentions To learn about the use of nuclear power including the advantages and disadvantages of its use. Success Criteria Describe how nuclear fission works to produce energy. State at least two advantages of nuclear power. State at least two disadvantages of nuclear power

The Nuclear Debate Introduction: Task: Split class in two. Video 1 1 half is for and 1 against. Teacher chairs debate. Both sides get a time slot to state case and then others can question. At end a vote is taken.