1. Nuclear Energy Energy From Atoms Mr. Matthew Rodman Science Patria Mirabal Middle School (MS 324) New York City, New York, USA

2. Focus What are the factors that make nuclear energy an important energy source? What problems will the continued use of nuclear energy cause?

3. Nuclear Energy Unlike other sources of energy, nuclear energy comes from the nucleus (radioactivity). It does not break chemical bonds and does not produce any pollution. Nuclear energy uses uranium as its fuel source.

4. Nuclear Energy Uranium releases a neutron, which hits another atom of uranium. This makes the nucleus of the atom break, releasing energy. This causes a chain reaction and huge amounts of energy are released.

6. Benefits of Nuclear Energy Produces huge amounts of energy Technology already exists Efficient Clean (no pollution) Does not contribute to the greenhouse effect

7. Environmental Impact of Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy requires uranium to be mined, which can damage the environment. Nuclear energy produces nuclear waste. If not carefully controlled, nuclear reactors can get too hot an cause a nuclear explosion.

8. Environmental Impact of Nuclear Energy Nuclear explosions release radioactive waste, which can cause cancer and make land uninhabitable for thousands of years. This is called a meltdown, because the uranium gets so hot that it melts through the surface of the reactor and explodes.

9. N.I.M.B.Y. N (ot) I (n) M (y) B (ack) Y (ard) People do not feel safe around nuclear power plants. Nuclear power looks good in theory, but people are worried about having plants near them. New York City is only a few miles south of a very old nuclear power plant.

10. Review 1.What are two benefits of nuclear energy? 2.What are two drawbacks of nuclear energy? 3.Why is nuclear energy not more popular? 4.What does N.I.M.B.Y. stand for?

11. Questions EXPLAIN: How does nuclear energy work? COMPARE: How the way nuclear energy produces electricity different from the way other energy resources do? How is it similar? APPLY: How would you argue in favor of the building of a nuclear power plant?