Wider World Flashcards
What is nuclear power?
Nuclear power is electric or motive power generated by a nuclear reactor/reaction
- Nuclear power
Reaction is triggered, atoms and neutrons collide and cause more atom splits. Chain reaction creates lots of heat.
- Nuclear power
The water is heated and passed through the reactor vessel. Chain reaction heats water up to 300°C. The water must be a liquid for the station to work so 155 times atmospheric pressure is applied
- Nuclear power
Hot water is circulated through a pump, which is sent from the reactor through a steam generator
- Nuclear power
Steam is created when hot water flows through pipes while another stream of water flows around them. As this water is under less pressure, the heat from the pipes boil it into steam.
- Nuclear power
Steam passes through a turbine. The steam moved the turbine. Electromagnets turn movement energy to electric energy.
- Nuclear power
Electrical energy is passed to national grid when a transformer converts the energy to the high voltage needed by the grid.
- Nuclear power
Electricity is sent through power lines into homes. The national grid transmits through the lines which connects to homes, businesses and services. The transformers turn the voltage into a usable level.
- Nuclear power
The steam is cooled and recycled. It’s passed through pipes with cold water, which cool the water where it’s piped into the generator to keep the turbines turning and the electricity production.
What are the pros of nuclear power?
- No greenhouse gas emissions (1.8 million lives saved)
- Fuel-efficient
- Resilient in times of extreme weather
- Job-intensive
- Low operating costs
What are the cons of nuclear power?
- Accidents could emit radioactive materials, e.g. plutonium
- No good solution for disposing of radioactive waste
- Not a renewable fuel source
- Serious disasters can occur which makes places inhabitable for thousands of years
What effect did Chernobyl have on Spain?
Despite being 3,000km away, some areas in Portugal and Spain were found to have traces of radiation, although much less than other European countries.
What effect did Chernobyl have in the UK?
Cumbria, North Wales and South West Scotland were affected the most and couldn’t drink rainwater.
Until 2012, some sheep in Wales (2,250 km) had to be monitored and were not allowed to be consumed.
What effect did Chernobyl have on Germany?
Germany was also affected by radiation despite being 1,050km away, which resulted in food scares and more children being born with disabilties and illnesses.
What effect did Chernobyl have on Poland?
Being 400km away from Chernobyl, it received high levels of radiation and as a result many more stillbirths and babies died after the disaster.
What effect did Chernobyl have on Scandinavia?
Swedish workers 1,200 km away first alerted the world of the disaster when they though there was a leak. Radiation spread to Norway and Finland where it was claimed that deer and fish were contaminated.
What effect did Chernobyl have on Belarus?
It only being 13km away meant that it was heavily affected by the radiation. Children were mostly affected and were 100 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than before the accident.
What was the Dead Zone?
A zone of 30km around the plant that was evacuated. 110,000 people were evacuated in total.
What affect did Chernobyl have on Russia?
About 150km away, it was also heavily affected. The ground was affected due to the wind blowing radioactive dust. More people contracted thyroid cancer and many children fell ill as well.
Altogether, how many people from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus died as a result of the effects of Chernobyl?
200,000
What is an invasive species?
An organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native.
How are hippos an invasive species in Colombia?
- Pablo Escobar kept 4 hippos in a private zoo but were too big to be attended
- By 2007 there were 16 hippos left to roam
- By 2014, 40
- By 2018, 50-70
- By 2019, 65-80 hippos over an area of 2000km2
- Dec. 2020 90-120 hippos over an area of 2,250km2
- Population could rise to over 200 hippos over an area of 13,500km2
How are parakeets an invasive species?
- In the late 20th century, the first colony was established by the river in Kingston
- For decades they were an exotic novelty, exclusive to south-west London
How have grey squirrels contributed to the decline of red squirrels?
- Grey squirrels carry a disease, a Parapoxvirus, which does not appear to affect their health but often kills red squirrels
- Grey squirrels are more likely to eat green acorns, so will decimate the food source before they ripen and the reds can make use of them
