1. Nuclear fission: lecture 9.2 B
Nuclear power plant, France

2. What holds a nucleus together?
The strong nuclear force causes protons and neutrons to attract each other
Protons both attract and repel each other
In elements with 83+ protons, nuclei are unstable, releasing radiation as they decay

3. Nuclear fission: breaking up
Heavier nuclei split apart into lighter nuclei
Energy is released as radiation and neutrons

4. Chain reactions Neutrons released cause more atoms to decay
Critical Mass is the amount of material needed to start and sustain a chain reaction

5. Uses for chain reactions
Nuclear power plants
Diablo Canyon, CA
Nuclear powered submarine
Nuclear powered satellites
Nuclear powered aircraft carrier

6. Controlling a reaction
In power plants, control rods slow down the reaction
Water absorbs the heat of the reaction

7. Inside a nuclear power plant
Heated water turns to steam, which spins a turbine, making electricity

8. Containment structures are made to keep radiation
inside the reactor.
Nuclear plants create no greenhouse gases

9. Nuclear plants
Reactor and cooling towers locations of plants in US

10. Global nuclear reactors