IP How nuclear reactors work © Oxford University Press 2011 How nuclear reactors work

IP How nuclear reactors work © Oxford University Press 2011 Nuclear power can be used to generate electricity. Inside a nuclear reactor, atoms of uranium or plutonium undergo nuclear fission.

IP How nuclear reactors work © Oxford University Press 2011 This releases a huge amount of heat energy. The heat is used to create steam that drives turbines.

IP How nuclear reactors work © Oxford University Press 2011 Uranium is made into pellets that are inserted into a nuclear reactor.

IP How nuclear reactors work © Oxford University Press 2011 Currently around 13% of the electricity in the UK comes from nuclear power and there are plans to build several more nuclear reactors.

IP How nuclear reactors work © Oxford University Press 2011 This diagram shows the energy transfer that takes place in a nuclear reactor. Uranium or Plutonium Nuclear energy Water / Steam Heat energy Turbines Kinetic energy Generator Electricity

IP How nuclear reactors work © Oxford University Press 2011 Advantages of nuclear power  Huge amounts of electricity can be generated for each kilogram of fuel used.  No carbon dioxide is produced so there is no contribution to global warming.  The fuel is readily available and won’t run out for thousands of years.

IP How nuclear reactors work © Oxford University Press 2011 Disadvantages of nuclear power  Nuclear reactors produce highly radioactive nuclear waste. This remains dangerous for millions of years, and so has to be buried deep underground.  The cost of building the plant and taking it down when it has finished can be quite high. This means the electricity generated can be relativity expensive.  Nuclear reactors have a very slow start up time. It takes a long time to increase or decrease the amount of electricity they are generating.  There is always the risk of an accident that could release radioactive waste into the environment.