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

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

3. 0th Law Temperature Measurement / Thermometer Calibration
What is Temperature?
Temperature scales
Thermal Equilibrium

4. 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…….

5. 2nd Law Entropy and the Heat Engine
ηmax = 1 – (Tcold / Thot)
Thot
Tcold
Heat Engine
Work
Carnot Heat Engine

6. 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

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

8. Nuclear Power for Hydrogen Production

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

10. NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE Advance Fuel Cycle Initiative - AFCI

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

12. 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

13. Thanks
other questions?