6.6 Nuclear Power

• Steps in the operation of a nuclear power plant

  1️⃣ Nuclear Fission: Uranium-235 atoms split, releasing heat

  2️⃣ Steam Generation: Heat boils water, creating steam

  3️⃣ Turbine Rotation: Steam drives the turbine to spin

  4️⃣ Electricity Generation: Spinning turbine drives a generator

  5️⃣ Cooling and Condensation: Steam is cooled and condensed into water
• What type of atom is used in nuclear fission to release heat?

  Uranium-235
• The heat generated in nuclear fission is used to boil water
• The steam generated in a nuclear power plant drives a turbine.
• After cooling and condensation, water is reused in the nuclear power plant cycle, making it a closed loop.
• What is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by nuclear power plants during operation?

  None
• Nuclear power plants release pollutants that cause smog and acid rain.

  False
• Thermal pollution from nuclear power plants can affect aquatic ecosystems
• Match the energy source with its environmental impact:

  Nuclear Power ↔️ Low greenhouse gas emissions

  Fossil Fuels ↔️ Significant air pollution

  Renewable Energy ↔️ Minimal environmental impact
• Steps in nuclear waste management and disposal

  1️⃣ Categorization of waste based on radioactivity levels

  2️⃣ Temporary storage of waste

  3️⃣ Reprocessing for plutonium recovery

  4️⃣ Long-term disposal in geologic repositories
• What type of fuel is used in nuclear power plants?

  Uranium
• What is the primary fuel used in nuclear power plants?

  Uranium and plutonium
• Uranium-235 is found naturally
• The half-life of uranium-235 is shorter than that of plutonium-239.

  False
• In which type of reactors is plutonium-239 used as fuel?

  Advanced reactors
• Steps in the process of nuclear fission

  1️⃣ A U-235 nucleus absorbs a neutron

  2️⃣ The nucleus becomes unstable

  3️⃣ The nucleus splits into smaller nuclei

  4️⃣ Multiple neutrons and energy are released
• In nuclear fission, a U-235 nucleus can split into barium and krypton
• The release of multiple neutrons in nuclear fission initiates a chain reaction.
• What is the primary purpose of a nuclear power plant?

  Generate electricity
• High-pressure steam in a nuclear power plant rotates a turbine
• Steps in the electricity generation process in a nuclear power plant

  1️⃣ Nuclear fission releases heat

  2️⃣ Heat boils water to create steam

  3️⃣ High-pressure steam rotates a turbine

  4️⃣ The turbine drives a generator

  5️⃣ Electricity is transmitted to the grid
• Water used in a nuclear power plant is recycled after condensation.
• What is nuclear power generated from?

  Splitting atomic nuclei
• Nuclear power uses isotopes of uranium and plutonium
• Uranium-235 is found naturally.
• What is the half-life of uranium-235?

  704 million years
• Plutonium-239 is artificially produced
• Plutonium-239 is highly fissionable.
• What is the half-life of plutonium-239?

  24,100 years
• Plutonium-239 is used in advanced nuclear reactors
• What happens during nuclear fission?

  Atomic nucleus splits
• Steps involved in nuclear fission

  1️⃣ A neutron strikes the U-235 nucleus

  2️⃣ The U-235 nucleus absorbs the neutron and becomes unstable

  3️⃣ The nucleus splits into barium and krypton, releasing additional neutrons and energy
• What is the reaction equation for nuclear fission of U-235?

  $< latex > {}^{235}_{92}U +$${}^{1}_{0}n \rightarrow {}^{141}_{56}Ba +$${}^{92}_{36}Kr +$$3{}^{1}_{0}n +$$energy$
• Match the nuclear process with its description:

  Fission ↔️ Splits a heavy nucleus

  Fusion ↔️ Combines light nuclei
• What is the primary source of heat in a nuclear power plant?

  Nuclear fission
• Steps in the operation of a nuclear power plant

  1️⃣ Nuclear fission releases heat

  2️⃣ Heat boils water to create steam

  3️⃣ High-pressure steam rotates a turbine

  4️⃣ The turbine drives a generator to produce electricity

  5️⃣ Steam is cooled and condensed back into water
• What type of energy conversion occurs in a nuclear power plant generator?

  Mechanical to electrical
• One kilogram of uranium-235 produces as much energy as 1,500 tons of coal.
• Nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide
• What ensures the reliability of nuclear power plants in all weather conditions?

  Continuous operation