(NCM) Nuclear Energy Lesson

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is the energy released in nuclear reactions.  If a nuclear chain reaction is uncontrolled, it produces a lot of energy all at once. This is what happens in an atomic bomb. However, if a nuclear chain reaction is controlled, it produces energy much more slowly. This is what occurs in a nuclear power plant. The reaction is controlled by inserting rods of nonfissioning material into the fissioning material. You can see this in the picture below. The radiation from the controlled fission is used to heat water and turn it into steam. The steam is under pressure and causes a turbine to spin. The spinning turbine runs a generator, which produces electricity.

See Nuclear Fission Power Plant description Links to an external site.

In this lesson, you are going to look at nuclear energy's practical application as an alternative energy source, and its potential problems. To begin, watch the video below "What's Next for Nuclear." You should focus on answering the following questions as you watch:

• In 2010, President Obama indicates that the U.S. needs to increase the supply of nuclear power. What are the reasons in favor of increasing nuclear power?
• What is being done to make nuclear power a more favorable alternative energy choice?
• What is the goal of any power plant, whether coal or nuclear?
• How much fuel is needed to fuel nuclear reactors for a year? How does this compare to the amount of fuel in chemical reactions?
• What is something learned from the Chernobyl accident that was done right after the accident in Fukushima?
• What are the health effects of burning fossil fuels like coal? How do these compare to the health effects of using nuclear power?
• What research is being done to make nuclear power safer?

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