Nuclear Power
Caitlin Worley and Seth Warren
Original Formation Process
Nuclear Radiation was discovered in 1945. It was discovered by using fusion to split a uranium atom. At first it was used for the military but now it is mostly used for power.
Extraction Process
To get the uranium for nuclear energy, you have to mine for it. There is an average of 60,000 tons of uranium produced each year. Once you get the uranium out of the ground you move it to a power plant and begin the energy process.
Transformation into Energy
Nuclear plants use fission to create energy. When you split the uranium atom, it creates heat. The heat boils water that creates steam that spins a turbine. When that turbine spins, it generates electricity.
Who Uses It the Most?
With 104 reactors, the US produces more electricity from Nuclear Power than any of the 30 countries with that capability.
69,760 billion kWh of nuclear energy was used in the year 2011
11% of the world's electricity is nuclear
World Wide Usage
Electricity
The most common use of Nuclear Power is electricity. Without this, we would not know how to function.
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine (radiotherapy) is also associated with Nuclear Power. Radiotherapy is used to treat illnesses, especially cancer, the treatment is able to weaken/destroy targeted cells.
Space Missions
Radioisotope thermal generators are used as a way to generate heat into electricity. The latest Mars rover 'Curiosity' must rely on the RTG's because solar panels are too small to supply enough electricity for it to communicate with Earth.
Air Quality Impacts
Thermal pollution is the degradation of water and air quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature. Thermal pollution is commonly used by power plants and industrial manufacturers.
Economic Benefits
Nuclear Power Plants are one of the biggest corporations, providing thousands of people with jobs. Nuclear power is also a more environmentally-safe way to get electricity. It is a lot friendlier than coal.
Other Environmental Impacts
Nuclear Radiation has an extreme impact on plants if they are exposed. When plants are exposed to radiation, they form mutations and weaken seeds that leads to plant death. Since radiation lasts for a long time, it makes it extremely dangerous for the environment.