6.6: Nuclear Power

Question 1

Nuclear Fission

Answer 1

A neutron is fired into the nucleus of a radioactive (unstable) element like uranium which releases energy in the form of heat and more neutrons which break other nuclei apart and causes a chain reaction

Question 2

Radioactivity

Answer 2

When the nucelus of a radioactive isotope loses energy by emitting radiation

Question 3

Electricity Generation with nuclear

Answer 3

Heat produced by nuclear fission is used to heat water into steam, steam turns turbine, turbine powers generator, generator produces electricity

Question 4

In depth of electricity generation

Answer 4

1. U-235 is stored in fuel rods which are submerged in water in a reaction core
   2.Control rods are lowered into the reactor core to absorb neutrons and slow down the reaction to prevent a meltdown
   3.the heat from fission turns water to steam which goes through process of powering turbine
2. Cooling tower allows steam from the turbine to condense back into liquid and cool down before being reused
   4.Water pumps bring in cool water to be turned to steam and cools the reactor down from overheating

Question 5

Why nuclear is nonrenewable instead of renewable?

Answer 5

Radioactive elements like Uranium are limited

Question 6

Benefits of Nuclear

Answer 6

• No air pollutants (PM, SOx, NOx) or Carbon dioxide or methane during electricity generation
• Only gas released is water vapor

Question 7

Drawbacks of nuclear

Answer 7

• Possibility of meltdown and radioactive contamination i.e.
  1. Spent fuel rods which remain radioactive for millions of years and need to be stored in lead containers on site at nuclear power plants
  2. Mine tailings/leftover rock and soil from mining which may have radioactive elements that may contaminate water or soil
• Nuclear power plants require lots of water which can deplete nearby ground and surface water
• Thermal pollution: hot water from PP released back into surface waters can cause thermal shock aka decreased oxygen gas and suffocation of organisms

Question 8

Environmental consequences of meltdowns

Answer 8

• Radiation can remain in soil and harm plants and animals in the future (genetic mutation)
• Radiation can be carried by the wind over long distances, afecting ecosystems far from the radiation site
• Cancer