1. Ch. 10 Notes Day 1
5/25/16

2. Objectives
SWBAT identify and explain the purpose of the three main components of a nuclear power plant
SWBAT explain how humans control fission chain reactions to generate power inside the nuclear core
SWBAT explain some of the measures nuclear power plants take to ensure safety

3. Main Parts of a Nuclear Power Plant
- Containment Building seals in nuclear reactor
- Radioactive fuel rods made of Uranium or Plutonium heat water with radiation **makes water radioactive
- Hot radioactive water turns water inside heat exchanger to steam
- Steam from heat exchanger spins turbines
- Turbines spin rod inside generator, to produce electricity
- Steam turned to water in condenser, then returned to heat exchanger
- Cold air in cooling tower or cold river water used to cool down the condenser
- Cooling towers only make steam!!!
The water in each of the three sections, is contained in those section to prevent contamination!!!

4. Nuclear Chain Reaction (Fission)
Nuclear Reactor Core
Moderator
Nuclear Chain Reaction (Fission)
More Stable

5. Ch. 10 Notes Day 2
5/27/16

6. Objectives SWBAT define radioactivity
SWBAT explain the concept of half-life
SWBAT list the 3 types of radioactivity from least to most harmful

7. Vocabulary
Radioactivity – process where an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles and energy to become more stable.
Nuclear Radiation- charged particles emitted from radioactive nuclei called radioisotopes.
Alpha Decay – emits an alpha particle. Alpha particles can be stopped with paper
Beta Decay – emits a beta particle. Beta particles can be stopped with aluminum foil
Gamma Decay – emits gamma rays. Gamma rays are pure energy, and can only be stopped with 12 or more feet of concrete. (This is what made the Hulk…)

8. Half Life
Half-Life – time required for half of a radioisotope to decay.
Used for dating old materials like rocks
Radon-222 half-life of 3.82 days
Uranium-238 half-life of 4.47 billion years
# of Half-lives 1 2 3 4 5 6
Amount of Radio Isotope Left
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
1/64
Percentage Left
100%
50%
25%
12.5%
6.25%
3.125%
1.56%