1. BELLWORK How is nuclear energy typically portrayed in media such as television or movies?

2. Nuclear Energy A Nonrenewable Alternative to Fossil Fuels

3. Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy - energy that is stored in the nucleus of an atom This energy is released in a process called fission - the splitting of an atom

4. Utilizing Nuclear Energy In nuclear reactors, radioactive uranium atoms are bombarded with neutrons, causing fission. The enormous amount of heat energy produced by this reaction is used to boil water, just like in a coal power plant.

5. How Nuclear Power Works

6. Nuclear Power Plants Currently about 19% of US energy output

7. Advantages of Nuclear Power Requires only a very small amount of uranium -won’t run out soon -easier to transport Almost no greenhouse gases are produced Cheaper than renewable energy

8. Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Dangerous radioactive waste is produced This waste must be stored in special containers and buried in isolated areas Nuclear meltdowns are extremely rare, but are catastrophic when they occur

9. Chernobyl - 1986 http://www.smh.com.au/world/chernobyl- ukraines-nuclear-time-bomb-still-ticking- 20140516-zrfpn.html

10. The Future of Nuclear Energy Despite any disadvantages, nuclear energy is the only type of energy that is readily available, cheap enough to use, and does not cause air pollution. The biggest problem in the future is finding a place to store the waste for years and years.

11. Nuclear Energy Activity Using the “Nuclear Energy Activity” page on my website, complete the assignment by the end of class. You will turn in the assignment using the upload feature on the website.