6.6 Nuclear Power
- Syllabus
- 2025
- Topic
- 6.6
- Level
- —
Learning objectives
—ENG-3.G—Describe the use of nuclear energy in power generationDescribe 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.—ENG-3.H—Describe the effects of the use of nuclear energy on the environmentDescribe 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.
ENG-3.G—Describe the use of nuclear energy in power generation
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.
ENG-3.H—Describe the effects of the use of nuclear energy on the environment
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.