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Nuclear Energy

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Nuclear Energy How does it work? Some atoms, (like Uranium), are so big that we can break them apart by shooting tiny particles at them. This process releases a LOT ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Nuclear Energy


1
Nuclear Energy
2
How does it work?
  • Some atoms, (like Uranium), are so big that we
    can break them apart by shooting tiny particles
    at them.
  • This process releases a LOT of energy, and starts
    a chain reaction.

3
How does it work?
  • In a nuclear power plant, we use the energy from
    this reaction to heat up water and turn it into
    steam.
  • The steam spins a turbine, which produces
    electricity.

4
How does it work?
  • If we didnt slow down this chain reaction, it
    would get to hot and melt through the container.
  • We put control rods into the reactor to absorb
    the extra energy so that the reaction doesnt
    make too much heat.

5
Nuclear Power facts
  • As of 2011, there were 443 operating nuclear
    power plants over the world in 47 countries.
  • In 2009, nuclear energy was the source of 14 of
    the worlds electricity. (France gt75)
  • In the US, 109 nuclear power plants supply 20 of
    our electricity.

6
Nuclear Power - Pros
  • Its clean energy
  • It creates very little carbon dioxide emission
    (saves 2 billion metric tons of CO2 per year)
  • It is not a fossil fuel
  • It produces about one million times more energy
    per unit weight than fossil fuels.
  • A properly running nuclear power plant puts less
    radioactivity into the atmosphere than a coal
    plant

7
Nuclear power - Cons
  • Radioactive material is dangerous to
    mine/purify/transport
  • Radioactive waste must be disposed of very
    carefully (about 2000 metric tons per year from
    all plants on earth)
  • Nuclear waste takes thousands of years to reach
    safe levels of decay.
  • Waste must be guarded, which costs money
  • Nuclear power plants can be dangerous in rare
    cases.

8
Nuclear power - Cons
  • 3 mile island (1979)
  • Chernobyl (1986)
  • Japan (2011)
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