Nuclear Power

Nuclear Power

Nuclear Power

Nuclear energy comes from the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom.

Atoms are the tiny units that make up all matter in the universe.

Energy holds the nucleus together and it contains, or holds a huge amount of power.

Nuclear energy can be used to create electricity but it first has to be released from the atom.

Nuclear Power

There are two kinds of reactions that create nuclear energy.

Nuclear fusion is when the atoms are joined together.

Nuclear fission is when the atoms are split apart.

However, power plants cannot get energy from nuclear fusion in a safe way.

Most power plants use nuclear fission.

Nuclear Power

Nuclear reactors use pellets of uranium for fuel to produce nuclear fission reactions.

The nuclear reactor forces the atoms of uranium to break apart.

When they break apart, they create something called fission products.

This makes other uranium atoms split apart causing a chain reaction.

Nuclear Power

The energy from the chain reaction creates a lot of heat.

That heat is used to warm up water.

The water turns into the steam.

The steam turns a turbine.

The turbine turns a generator which creates electricity.

​Nuclear Power

Nuclear power can make clean, pollution free power.

It does not produce greenhouse gases.

However, nuclear reactors create nuclear waste from the used uranium pellets.

The waste can be very harmful and radioactive for thousands of years.

Multiple Choice

What are all things in the universe made from?

• atoms

• water

• nuclear power

• atomic bombs

Multiple Choice

After releasing energy from an atom, what can be created?

• atoms

• electricity

• turbines

• generators

Multiple Choice

True or false: In nuclear fission, the atoms are split apart.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

True or false: In nuclear fusion, the atoms are joined together.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission reactions. Why don't they use nuclear fusion reactions?

• Fission is easier.

• Fission sounds like fishing.

• Fission is safe and reliable.

• Fusion is safe and reliable.

Multiple Choice

What is used for fuel to produce fission reactions?

• atoms

• uranium

• vibranium

• milk tea

Multiple Choice

What does the energy released from the reaction create?

• ice

• nuclear

• renewable resources

• heat

Multiple Choice

What does the energy created from nuclear fission reactions do?

• warms up your heart.

• warms up water

• cools down water

• warms up electricity

Multiple Choice

What does the warmed up water do?

• turns into ice

• turns into steam

• turns into water

• turns into tea

Multiple Choice

What does the steam do?

• It turns electricity

• It turns a reactor

• It turns a turbine

• It turns a generator

Multiple Choice

What do the turbines do?

• They spin a turbine.

• They spin to create steam.

• They spin a generator which creates electricity.

• They spin a generator which creates turbines.

Multiple Choice

True or false: Nuclear power creates greenhouse gases.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What is a major disadvantage of nuclear power?

• It is easy to use.

• It is convenient.

• It creates a lot of electricity.

• It creates radioactive waste.

Multiple Choice

True or False: Nuclear waste is toxic and dangerous.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

True or False: People don't care what happens to nuclear waste when it is finished.

• True

• False