Nuclear Energy

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Nuclear Energy
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Nuclear power - Cons

• 3 mile island (1979)
• Chernobyl (1986)
• Japan (2011)