1. Nuclear Power

2. Do Now Why do we use nuclear power?
Why are some people afraid of Nuclear power plants? Explain your answer.
What do we use to produce Nuclear energy?

3. Uranium-235 Naturally occurring, radioactive element
Very unstable on its own- breaks down into different elements through the process of nuclear fission
The “235” of U-235 represents an isotope (# of neutrons in atom)

4. Where is Uranium in the U.S.?
Most Uranium is mined as U-238 and is “enriched” to become U-235

5. How does nuclear power work?
U-235 is bombarded with neutron
Neutron triggers nuclear fission, and nucleus of U-235 splits into two different atoms
Neutron and LOTS of energy released!
Spare neutron can trigger another reaction when it hits another U-235 atom- called a “chain reaction”
WHERE HAVE WE SEEN CHAIN REACTIONS RECENTLY?

8. How does nuclear power work

9. Chain Reaction Example
Jimmy Kimmel and Science Bob-

10. How does a nuclear power plant work?
Still operates on steam power
Instead of burning fossil fuels to boil water, the fission reaction boils water
Steam turns turbine
Turbine turns generator
Generator creates electricity which is sent through the grid

12. These are cooling towers, not reactors
Only STEAM comes out of these towers!

13. Nuclear Energy – Our Misunderstood Friend???
Nuclear Power - as Explained on the Simpsons
The fallout at Chernobyl
Energy for the Future?
Is nuclear the solution?

14. Pros of Nuclear Power
No CO2 released during process; no additional greenhouse gases
No particulate matter, SO2 or NOx released
Lots of electricity with very little uranium
Good for countries with small fossil fuel reserves
A little bit of uranium goes a LONG way
1 ton of Uranium = 1 million tons of coal!

15. Think of your training, Homer!

16. The CONS of Nuclear
Mining and developing uranium fuel rods produces radioactive waste
The “spent” fuel rods are highly radioactive and can pose a threat for thousands of years.
Finding a safe storage place for waste is hard
Human error at the plant  big problems for all (Three Mile Island, Chernobyl)

17. Nuclear Power Wrap Up
What is one advantage and one disadvantage of Nuclear power?
How is nuclear power related to mining?
3. Can nuclear power substitute the use of fossil fuels (coal, oil & natural gas)? Why or why not?