1. Is nuclear energy a good idea or not?
SNN

2. What is Nuclear Energy?
Nuclear energy is the energy that comes from the core or the nucleus of an atom.
Massive amounts of it are available to make electricity.
It is released in 2 ways:
Fission
Fusion

3. Nuclear Fission
Nuclear fission is the splitting of a nucleus into two roughly equal parts, usually caused by the bombardment of neutrons.
It is usually accompanied by the release of large amounts of energy if the mass after the split is less than the mass before.
Energy is calculated through

4. Chain Reaction
During fission, a nucleus is split into two roughly equal fragments producing 2 or 3 neutrons.
If these neutrons are slowed down, they may produce further fissions producing more neutrons.
This is a chain reaction . It only occurs if a critical mass of material is available.

5. Nuclear Reactor The reactor consists of Fuel rods – enriched Uranium
Moderator - slow down the neutrons
Control rods - to absorb neutrons. (slow/stop reactions)
Shielding – thick concrete walls surround it. Lead is also used.
Coolant – the nuclear energy is converted to heat. The reactor core is cooled using water .
Heat exchanger – takes the heat to a turbine which drives an electrical generator

6. Accidents in Nuclear plants.
A nuclear reactor was damaged during an earthquake in Japan on March
An explosion is a nuclear rector caused the worst nuclear disaster in history in Chernobyl in 26 April 1986.

7. Nuclear Bomb
If a chain reaction continues uncontrolled, a nuclear explosion occurs.
A certain mass (critical mass) of fissile material is required.
In the nuclear bomb, two masses of fissile material, each less than the critical mass, are brought quickly together to produce a nuclear explosion.

8. Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear fusion is the joining together of two small nuclei to form a larger one. Two such reactions are the following
To overcome Coulomb repulsion, the nuclei must hit each other with enormous velocities.
Nuclei reach these velocities when heated to temperatures of around 100,000,000oC
Nuclear fusion in the interior of the sun is the principal source of the sun’s energy.

9. Nuclear Fusion – an alternative?
Advantages of fusion over fission
Less radioactive
No chance of a runaway chain reaction
The fuel, deuterium, is readily available and cheap (in the oceans)

10. Hazards & Precautions of Ionising Radiation
Ionisation causes atoms to lose electrons.
In human tissue, this can affect the normal operation of body cells.
This can cause skin burns, cancer, genetic defects or death.
Precautions:
Use protective clothing
Minimise the time spent using them
Make sure sources are properly shielded
Do not eat or drink in their vicinity
Use tongs for handling sources
Keep sources in a safe place

11. Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy
Efficient – Produces a lot of electricity
Waste – radioactive waste is very dangerous
Reliable – not dependent on weather
Cost – v. expensive to build
Clean – no carbon emissions
Terrorism – dangerous targets in war
Plentiful – a little uranium goes a long way
Danger of Nuclear Meltdown - Chernobyl

12. Radon and your environment
The greatest health risk from radiation in Ireland is caused by radon.
It is formed by decay of Uranium in rocks.
The gas builds up in well insulated homes and can cause lung cancer.

13. Mass–Energy
Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity: mass and energy are equivalent – mass can be converted to energy and energy to mass.
This is the law of Conservation of Mass-Energy
A small quantity of mass can create a large amount of energy – according to the formula