Nuclear EnergyChapter 12Section 3

StandardS 6.6.a Students know the utility of energy sources is determined by factors that are involved in converting these sources to useful forms and the consequences of the conversation process

S 6.6b Students know different natural energy and material resources and how to classify them as renewable and non-renewable

Language of the Discipline

Nucleus

Nuclear fission

Reactor vessel

Fuel rod

Control rod

Meltdown

Nuclear fusion

Anticipatory Set Line up 15 dominoes to form a triangle

Knock over the first one

What happened?

Set it up again and remove the 3rd line

Knock them over

What happened now?

Nuclear FissionCentral core of an atom that contains a proton and neutron is a nucleus

Nuclear reactions convert matter into energy

E=mc2

E is energy

M represents mass

C is the speed of light

Nuclear FissionThe splitting of an atom’s nucleus into 2 smaller nuclei

When the neutron hits the U-235 nucleus, the nucleus splits apart into 2 smaller nuclei and 2 or more neutrons

If any neutrons strikes another nucleus, the fission reaction is repeated

More neutrons and more energy are released

Becomes a chain reaction (like the dominoes)

Nuclear FissionIf a nuclear chain reaction is not controlled, it creates a huge explosion.

Atomic bomb

A few kilograms of matter explode with more force that thousands tons of dynamite

If it is controlled, it can be used to generate electricity

Read Summary on page 494-495

Nuclear Power Plants

Heat released from fission is used to change water into steam. The steam then turns the blades of a turbine to generate electricity.

Uranium fuel is used to power these plants

Nonrenewable resources

Reactor vessel: where nuclear fission occurs

Fuel Rods: holds pellets of uranium

Control Rods: inserted between fuel rods to slow the speed of chain reactions.

Pros and ConsSafety concern

Meltdowns of fuel rods

Caused a series of explosions

Radioactive materials in environment

Don’t pollute the air

Help solve the problem of global warming

Read summary on page 496-497

Quest to Control Fusion

2 hydrogen nuclei combine to create a helium nucleus, which has slightly less mass than 2 hydrogen nuclei. The lost mass is converted to large amounts of energy.

Nuclear Fusion: combining of 2 atomic nuclei to produce a single larger nucleus

Sun produces energy

Water is a source of its fuel

Renewable resource

Only happens at extremely high pressure and temperature

Read Summary on page 498

Checking of Understanding

What happens in a nuclear chain reaction?

What is the purpose of a control rod?

What is nuclear fission?

Guided PracticeIndependent

PracticeWorksheet/workbook

Stop! Have your answers checked by teacher!

Study Guide problems