Nuclear Energy
By: Madison Moricle and Ayra M.
How to Nuclear Energy is Made
A Nuclear Energy power plant is similar to a fossil fueled power plant. Uranium atoms are being split apart creating heat, which then causes the water used to turn into steam. Once the water is turned into steam it drives a turbine that creates electricity. Nuclear Energy is a non-renewable source.
History of Nuclear Energy
- A Hungarian scientist discovered the chain reaction (Chain reaction is when an atom is bombarded with neutrons until it splits into smaller atoms and those split) and its ability to produce enormous amounts of energy
- After World War II, nuclear fission was used for generating electricity
- In 1957, the first nuclear fission power plant went online in Shippingport, Pennsylvania
- Nuclear Energy had a rapid expansion between 1965-1975
Impact on the Environment
Water from cooling process is recycled back into the plant. It could supply the amount of electricity we need without causing pollution. Nuclear energy could last 100s of years. There is high risk radiation and radioactive waste release.
Major Uses of Nuclear Energy
There is a Better life time supply. It is a cleaner fuel source. Nuclear energy produces a lot of electricity for cheaper cost. Uranium is already a natural and abundant resource found all over the world and is extremely concentrated fuel source which is why it needs less mining and transportation.
Reasons Why People Should Use Nuclear Energy
- It provides the U.S. already with 20% of the electricity it needs
- Less air pollution is released into the atmosphere
- Construction, licensure and people that work at Nuclear Power Plants have very high requirements, training and safety measures
Precautions
- Equipment is very expensive to contain and process Uranium
- Errors in equipment or from people could lead to devastating consequences
- Facility could blow up and contaminate the next 10 miles of land (which can become uninhabitable for humans) with radiation
Nuclear Power Plant
This power plant is located in Europe.
Radioactive
This is the symbol to warn people about the area being radioactive.
Process of Nuclear Fission
This shows the process of how Nuclear Fission is made