6.6 Nuclear Power

Describe the use of nuclear energy in power generation.

• Nuclear power is generated through fission, where atoms of Uranium-235, which are stored in fuel rods, are split into smaller parts after being struck by a neutron. Nuclear fission releases a large amount of heat, which is used to generate steam, which powers a turbine and generates electricity.
• Radioactivity occurs when the nucleus of a radioactive isotope loses energy by emitting radiation.
• Uranium-235 remains radioactive for a long time, which leads to the problems associated with the disposal of nuclear waste.
• Nuclear power generation is a nonrenewable energy source. Nuclear power is considered a cleaner energy source because it does not produce air pollutants, but it does release thermal pollution and hazardous solid waste.
• Enduring understanding ENG-3: Humans use energy from a variety of sources, resulting in positive and negative consequences.

Describe the effects of the use of nuclear energy on the environment.

• Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima are three cases where accidents or natural disasters led to the release of radiation. These releases have had short- and long-term impacts on the environment.
• A radioactive element’s half-life can be used to calculate a variety of things, including the rate of decay and the radioactivity level at specific points in time.
• Enduring understanding ENG-3: Humans use energy from a variety of sources, resulting in positive and negative consequences.