Nuclear power Flashcards
iwhat are the 2 sources of nuclear energy
nuclear fission
nuclear fusion
what are 2 benefits of nuclear power
do not produce carbon dioxide
will last longer than fossil fuels
what are 3 negatives of nuclear power
- produces waste which is difficult and expensive to store nuclear waste safely
- accident could be very dangerous
- many people believe nuclear power is dangerous so will not want them to be built
what is nuclear fusion
the splitting of a large unstable nucleus to release energy
what is a controlled chain reaction
where the rate of reaction is controlled and does not get too high or low
describe in steps the process of nuclear fission
- neutron is shot at an unstable nucleus
- splits and releases energy
- releases neutrons that split more nuclei
what is the process of how electrical energy is created in power stations using nuclear fission in steps
- fuel rods undergo nuclear fission which releases thermal energy
- thermal energy is taken by coolant to heat water and produce steam
- steam turns turbines which generate electricity
- the steam is cooled back into the water in a condenser so it is used again
what are the parts of a nuclear reactor core
control rods
fuel rods
moderator
concrete shielding
what is the purpose of the concrete shielding
prevents radiation and stray neutrons from escaping from the core
what is the purpose of the control rods
absorb neutron so can be lower and highered to control the rate of reaction
what is the purpose of the moderator
slows down neutrons so that fission can occur
what are 2 examples of moderators
graphite
water
what is nuclear fusion
involves the joining of smaller nuclei to form larger nuclei
where does nuclear fusion occur naturally
why is nuclear fusion difficult
nuclei need to get very close to each other for fusion to occur, this is prevented by strong electrostatic forces that repeol them so very high temperatures are needed for the nuclei to overcome these forces. these conditions are very hard to produce
