17.4 - Nuclear Power Flashcards
Nuclear Energy:
Energy holding particles in the nucleus together
Nuclear Fission:
Splitting of an atom’s nucleus into smaller nuclei
Nuclear Reactor:
Generates electricity by controlled fission reactions using U-235
Meltdown:
When the fuel rods make that they melt to the vessels
Nuclear Waste:
Leftover radioactive material from nuclear power plants made by the energy process
Country to generate the most electricity from nuclear power
US
Two unstable atoms
Uranium & Plutonium
A neutron propelled at an unstable atom will cause
the atom’s nucleus to break into smaller nuclei or neutrons
Two things released from split atoms
Heat/energy & Radiation
A chain reaction is
When there are enough unstable atoms nearby that get hit by many neutrons
Neutrons from broken apart nucleus can farther be split into
Atomic nuclei
Nuclear fission is nonrenewable due to
the limited amount of Uranium - 235
4 steps of a nuclear reactor
1. Nuclear Fission takes place
#2. Steam is produced
#3. Electricity is generated through turbines
#4. Water is cooled via steam flows to the condenser
Amount of Carbon emissions reduced by nuclear power plants
600 million metric tons or 8% of worldwide greenhouses
Problems of Radiation
kills cells faster than can be reproduced altering DNA and likely giving cancer
Three reasons to store ALL of the united states nuclear waste in Yucca Moutain
1. Protection from sabotage
#2. Remoteness
#3. Supposed little rainfall/earthquakes
Benefits and problem with nuclear Fusion
Clean and renewable energy but reactors require the heat of the sun
This country receives 78% of its electricity from nuclear power
France
Matter is made up of tiny particles called
Atoms
A nuclear bomb is the result of a
uncontrolled fission chain reaction
Nuclear Fusion:
small nuclei of lightweight elements are forced together to form a heavier nucleus
Coal generates more than __% amount of energy in the US
50
