1. Nuclear Power Generation
(11.3 pg )

2. Physicists figured out they could cause a self- propagating set chain reaction of nuclear fission reactions from a single neutron to create a lot of energy (Fig.1 p.318).

3. Although a single fission reaction produces a small amount of energy, a large number of reactions could produce a LOT of energy, but would also need to be controlled!

4. The first nuclear reactor was built in 1942 as an experiment (Fig. 2 p

5. It helped to highlight 5 major problems that needed to be overcome by any nuclear power plant:
Very concentrated radioactive material is needed. Natural uranium is not enough.
Fast moving neutrons need to be slowed down in order to react with a nucleus and cause fission. A moderator is a substance that slows the neutrons down enough.
There needed to be a minimum mass of radioactive fuel to absorb the neutrons. This amount is called the critical mass.
The reaction needs to be controlled. If it goes too fast it can overheat and explode. Too slow and it will stop altogether.
The final problem was how to deal with the massive amounts of heat produced. This problem was nicely solved by using it to boil water to generate steam to drive a turbine, which would generate electricity.

6. Canadian-developed nuclear reactors are called CANDU reactors (CANDU =CANadian Deuterium and Uranium).
They use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water (deuterium water) as a moderator and coolant.
CANDU reactors are a type of pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR); the other popular type of popular reactor is the pressurized water reactor or (PWR).

8. There are advantages and disadvantages to nuclear power facilities:

9. TED talk debate: Does the world ‘need’ nuclear energy?
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