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What if we could produce the electricity
we need without all of the pollution and
other disadvantages associated with the
use of fossil fuels? As we become
increasingly aware of how fossil fuel
supplies are limited, and how much their
Nuclear Energy: combustion contributes to air and land
Introduction pollution, we are increasingly on the
look-out for alternative sources of
energy.
There are some alternatives. Nuclear
energy relies on harnessing the energy
produced by special chemical reactions.
It does not burn anything, so it does not
produce the carbon dioxide, sulfur, and
mercury pollution of fossil fuels. Could
nuclear energy be our next best bet?
Read on to find out and make a decision
for yourself.
nucleus the number of protons and neutrons in
an atom's nucleus
protons The nucleus of an atom that is ___ will
spontaneously break down.
element parts of an atom with positive charge
,atomic number Atoms of the same always have the
same number of protons.
isotopes the central part of an atom
mass number atoms of the same element with
different numbers of neutrons in their
nuclei
radioactive the number of protons in an atom's
nucleus
Nuclear energy is produced when
changes take place within the nuclei of
Tutorial: Nuclear certain atoms. These changes take place
Changes when the nuclei of some isotopes
spontaneously change, or are made to
change, into nuclei of different isotopes.
There are two types of nuclear changes.
Watch the presentation to find out more.
The turbine is a machine that spins when
Turbine exposed to the heat energy in the steam.
This is where heat energy is converted to
mechanical energy.
The generator converts the mechanical
Generator
energy of the turbine to electrical energy.
Condenser cooling water Cooling water carries away excess heat from the reactor.
The cooling tower
Cooling tower transfers waste heat
from the reactor to
the
atmosphere.
Suppose you drive past a The smokestack should more accurately be named a
nuclear power plant and "steamstack." Nuclear power
plants do not burn fuel; they rely completely on the
see that it has a smokestack,
nuclear fission chain reaction to produce heat energy.
just like a power plant that
The heat energy is then used to heat water and
burns fossil fuels.
produce steam. The stuff you see coming from a nuclear
There is a cloud of smoke
power plant is just steam, or gaseous water.
coming from the
, smokestack. Since nuclear
power plants do not burn
anything, what is the stuff
that comes out of their
smokestacks?
Nuclear power plants Unlike power plants that burn carbon-rich fossil fuels,
compare to those that nuclear power plants do not burn any fuels. Since no
burn fossil fuels in terms of carbon-bearing fuels are burned, nuclear power plants
carbon emissions. How do emit no carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere.
these two thing
compare putting emissions in
the air?
1. core
Feedback: The nuclear chain reaction takes place in the reactor
1. Reactor where the chain core.
reaction
2. moderator
occurs
Feedback: The moderator, which is usually water, slows down the
2. keeps neutrons moving at a neutrons.
safe pace
3. control rods
3. placed between fuel
Feedback: Control rods keep the nuclear chain reaction moving
rods to ensure safety at a safe pace.
4. prevents escape of 4. containment
radiation to the Feedback: The containment
environment structure prevents escape
5. spins because of of radiation.
5. turbine
exposure to heat
Feedback: The turbine spins in reaction to heat energy from
energy
steam.
6. converts mechanical 6. generator
energy to electrical energy Feedback: The generator converts mechanical energy to
7. Cooling carries away excess electrical energy.
heat
7. water
8. _______ tower: transfers waste
heat to the Feedback: The cooling water carries away excess heat.
atmosphere 8. cooling
9. moves water into and Feedback: The cooling tower transfers waste heat to the
atmosphere.
throughout the reactor
9. pump
core
Feedback: The pump moves water into and throughout the
reactor core.