Nuclear Energy

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Nuclear Energy

• How will it
• affect you?

2
Nuclear Energy What is it?

• Fission
• the splitting of an atom by a neutron, resulting
  in two or more neutrons being released and the
  formation of two new atoms.
• Nuclear Radiation
• the gain or loss of protons or neutrons

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Nuclear Energy How does it work?

• Consists of 5 main parts
• Control Rods
• Coolant
• Core
• Moderator
• Reactor Vessel

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Nuclear Energy How does it work?

• Uranium atom is bombarded with neutrons,
  splitting the atom and releasing energy in the
  form of heat.
• Two additional neutrons released will continue
  the reaction (chain reaction)
• This energy is collected and used to produce
  steam from water, which is used to turn a turbine
  to produce electricity.

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Nuclear Reactor
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Nuclear Energy History

• Successfully released in 1942, at the University
  of Chicago
• Used to build the first atomic bomb
• The same bomb dropped on Hiroshima

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Nuclear Energy Where are they located?

• Along rivers edges, sea coasts
• Use high amounts of water to cool water being
  heated
• U.S has 109 operating plants
• Canada has 22 operating plants
• France has 56 operating plants
• Japan has 47 operating plants

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Nuclear Energy Where does it come from?

• Mining of Uranium that is enriched to make an
  isotope
• 1 kg of uranium is 3,000 tons of coal 14,000
  barrels of oil

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Nuclear Energy What is it used for?

• Used primarily for electricity

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Nuclear Energy Pollution

• Three mile Island
• 1979 Pennsylvania
• A core meltdown because of a lack of water to
  control the amount of heat produced.

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Nuclear Energy Pollution

• Chernobyl
• 1986
• 31 fatalities, 500 hospitalized, contaminated
  crops and water, and resulted in 17,000 extra
  cancers
• 10x the radiation then the bomb dropped on
  Hiroshima
• Core overheated and there was an explosion of the
  lid

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Nuclear Energy Concerns

• Reactor will explode like an atomic bomb
• Melt down of reactor
• Loss of coolant
• Possible hydrogen bubble
• a bubble of explosive gases that may result from
  radioactive material
• Possibility of crack in core and radiation is
  released into atmosphere

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Nuclear Energy Cons

• Use of nuclear power for weapons
• takes 1000 years for materials to no longer be
  radioactive.
• 50 of radioactive wastes are produced from
  nuclear plants
• Where do we bury the wastes?

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Nuclear Energy Pros

• Increase in technology may help with burial of
  wastes.
• Annual environmental impacts are low compared to
  other fossil fuels.
• Fuel is long-lasting 1 kg of Uranium 3,000
  tons of coal 12,000 barrels of oil
• Fairly clean, efficient, and clean burning.

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Nuclear Energy Pros