1. Nuclear Energy About 20% of US electricity is from nuclear power plants.

2. [http://www.nrc.gov/images/info-finder/reactor/reactors-map.gif]

3. Nuclear Energy A nuclear reactor uses heat from a controlled fission reaction This is used to create the steam needed to generate electricity. [http://www.converdyn.com/industry/images/chain-reaction.gif]

4. Nuclear Energy Control Rods are used in the core to make sure the fission reaction does not create too much heat. Made from Boron or Cadmium [http://www.pplweb.com/NR/rdonlyres/2FD20393-1529-462D- BF8D-266B8B3AC063/0/diagram_controlrod.gif] Click Here for a Demo.

5. [http://echelon1.mit.edu/~nate/reactor/cerenkov.jpg] The core of a reactor. Cerenkov radiation

6. [http://www.npp.hu/mukodes/kepek/navegre-e.jpg]

7. [http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/RoadTrip/NuclearReactor.jpg] Cooling Tower, not the reactor!

8. [http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/at_a_glance/states/tn_chattanooga%20.jpg]

9. Nuclear Energy Nuclear fuel is Uranium Dioxide (UO 2 ) 3-5% of U-235 isotope must be present. Remember: U-238 is most abundant! (only 0.7% is U-235) [http://americanhistory.si.edu/tmi/images/02.09_thumb.jpg]

10. Uranium Soil Concentrations [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/12/Uraniumdisstribution.jpg]

11. Nuclear Energy Pros No air pollutants. No carbon dioxide. Overall efficiency around 35%, same as fossil fuel plants. Only $0.03 per kWh of energy produced (but larger “start-up” costs)

12. Nuclear Energy Cons Mining for uranium. Disposal of nuclear waste. Possible release of radioactivity. RBMK Reactor (Chernobyl) vs. LWR Reactor (United States) [http://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuel-storage/spent-fuel-stor-locations.gif]

13. RBMK Reactor (Chernobyl) If H 2 O is lost, reaction speeds up!

14. LWR Reactor (United States) If H 2 O is lost, reaction slows down! [http://casenergy.org/wp- content/uploads/2009/09/student-bwr.gif]