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Nuclear energy

Nuclear energy. True or False 1. There are only a few nuclear weapons in existence today. 2. Nuclear energy is dangerous because it can release radiation. 3. Nuclear energy contributes to global warming.

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Nuclear energy

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  1. Nuclear energy

  2. True or False 1. There are only a few nuclear weapons in existence today. 2. Nuclear energy is dangerous because it can release radiation. 3. Nuclear energy contributes to global warming. 4. Nuclear weapons have only been used in battle twice in the history of the planet. 5. You can make new elements by combining two atoms together. 6. Coal power causes less pollution than wind or water power. 7. Radiation was discovered by a woman. 8. Radioactive matter stays radioactive forever. 9. Radioactive isotopes occur naturally.

  3. A physical change is a change that does not change the bonds in an atom. A chemical change is a change that makes new molecules by changing the bonds using the electrons. A nuclear change is a change in the nucleus of the atom resulting in different elements.

  4. Physical and Chemical changes can be endothermic or exothermic. Nuclear changes are ALWAYS exothermic. THAT MEANS THEY ARE HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  5. There are two types of nuclear energy, FISSION and FUSION. Fission occurs when one large atom splits into two smaller atoms. Fission starts when a single free neutron slams into a large nucleus. Video #1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT0ZNPz3t2o

  6. Fusion happens when two small atoms are compressed together to form one large atom, it is the process that forms new elements in stars. Fusion will only start when there are free neutrons, tons of heat, and tons of pressure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TzIJz4_kYI&feature=related

  7. Radioactive Isotopes: Elements are only stable when they have a specific number of electrons and neutrons to balance their protons. If they have a different number of neutrons, they may become a radioactive isotope.

  8. Radioactive Isotopes: Can occur naturally, or can be made by bombarding a normal nucleus with neutrons. Some of these neutrons will become attached to nuclei of the atoms making them have a higher mass and radioactive properties. Neutrons can be added to atoms by particle accelerators or by other nuclear reactions emitting neutrons.

  9. Radioactive Isotopes: Radiation from isotopes is released as either alpha, beta, or gamma rays. The radiation can cause damage to the DNA in living organisms. Since there is radiation naturally occurring, our bodies have built in repair mechanisms that fix the problems caused by small doses. If the exposure is too high, the body cannot repair all the damage leading to radiation sickness and cancers.

  10. Radioactive Isotopes: All isotopes have a specific half life. A half life is how long it takes 50% of a particular isotope to decay into a non-radioactive form of an element.

  11. Radioactive Isotopes: The fact that half lives are so predictable allows scientists to carbon date material based on the percentage of radioactive carbon in fossilized material.

  12. The History of Nuclear Power Madam Curie was not just another OdwG! She discovered the radioactive elements, radium and polonium. She also figured out how to harness x-rays to save lives and show that atoms can actually store a lot of energy in them. Unfortunately she gave herself cancer from the constant exposure to beta particles during her research. Her discovery of these elements was part of the ground work for one of the most famous OdwGs of all time...

  13. Albert Einstein Albert Einstein was a Deutschlander who developed the theory of relativity. It states that E=MC2. Einstein was able to show that energy and mass were both different versions of the same thing. He predicted that one could be changed into the other under the right circumstances.

  14. In this formula, E=energy, M=mass, and C=the speed of light (~300,000,000 m/s). That means that 1 unit of mass is equal to 90,000,000,000,000,000 units of energy. This formula led to the basis of how and why light travels at such high speeds, how we perceive time, how we may be able to travel through time, why things have mass, what gravity is, and many many other parts of quantum mechanics. But how is it useful in every day life?

  15. E=mc2 If you burn 1 gallon of gasoline, you will release ~140,000,000 Joules of energy. That is a LOT of heat, enough to push an entire car between 20-50 miles. But what would happen if instead of just burning the gasoline, you put the atoms through nuclear fission to release their energy?

  16. E=mc2 If all 3 kg of gasoline in one gallon went through a nuclear change, 270,000,000,000,000,000 Joules of energy would be released. That's enough energy to push the average car 6,750,000,000,000,000,000 miles. That would be about 270,000,000,000,000 trips around the Earth on one gallon of gas.

  17. Unfortunately and luckily for us, it is not easy to make atoms release their energy through a nuclear change. It took a group of some of the smartest people on the planet years of incredibly expensive research to find a way to make atoms split in a controlled manner. They used their knowledge to determine that by imploding a large piece of radioactive material, a fission chain reaction could be started.

  18. In 1945, two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan by the United States to end WWII. They were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and killed ~220,000 people.

  19. Today there are over 10,000 known nuclear weapons in storage on the planet. Most are owned by the United States and Russia. The only two ever used in combat were the two dropped on Japan in WWII.

  20. Nuclear Power Creating electrical energy simply requires an energy source that can be used to turn a turbine and spin a generator. This can be done by burning coal to power steam turbines, wind turbines, water turbines in dams, or using fission to power steam turbines.

  21. Wind Power Some positive aspects of wind power are... 1. There is no pollution created. 2. It has no operational costs. 3. It doesn't require a fuel source. Some negative aspects of wind power are... 1. Only works where/when it's windy. 2. Expensive to build. 3. Take a lot of space. 4. Bird disasters?

  22. Coal Power Some positive aspects of coal power are... 1. It is cheap. 2. It's low cost means that it can have a huge positive impact on the economy. 3. It's cleaner now than it used to be. Some negative aspects of coal power are... 1. Makes a ton of green house gases. 2. Causes acid rain. 3. Requires mining operations. 4. Creates solid pollution. 5. It's a fossil fuel so it won't last forever.

  23. Water Power Some positive aspects of water power are... 1. It doesn't cause any pollution. 2. It doesn't require any fuel. Some negative aspects of water power are... 1. It changes natural ecosystems. 2. It can only be made by rivers. 3. Potential damage to fisheries.

  24. Solar Power Some positive aspects of solar power are... 1. Assuming the sun doesn't disappear, it is limitless. 2. Can be built anywhere the sun shines. 3. Absolutely no emissions, and very low maintenance. Some negative aspects of solar power are... 1. It's not always sunny. 2. Very expensive to build enough to make a significant amount of electricity. 3. It takes a lot of surface area to produce a significant amount of electricity.

  25. Nuclear (FISSION) Power The positive aspects of Nuclear power are... 1. It doesn't cause atmospheric pollution. 2. It requires very little fuel. 3. It's extremely efficient. The negative aspects of Nuclear power are... 1. It produces radioactive waste. 2. Chance for meltdown. 3. It's fuel can be changed into weapons.

  26. Nuclear (FISSION) Power Right now we are receiving power from a nuclear power plant at Lake Anna. There are over 450 nuclear power plants currently operating on the planet. Only 3 have ever had an accident at this point.

  27. Nuclear (FISSION) Power 1979, 3 Mile Island, PA, USA A leak in the coolant caused a partial meltdown. A small amount of nuclear material escaped causing the production of radioactive iodine. No long term negative impacts. Political end to nuclear energy as major source of energy production in the U.S. 1986, Chernobyl, Pripyat, USSR A reactor overheated leading to an explosion. The explosion sent a plume of radioactive material for hundreds of miles. The carcinogenic effects were enormous, and the area around it remains uninhabitable even today.

  28. Nuclear (FISSION) Power 2011, Fukushima, Japan An earthquake caused a loss of ability to cool the reactors. Attempts continue to be made to bring the cores and spent fuel under control. So far, isotopes of iodine and cesium have been detected around the plant and some as far away as California. At this point most of the isotopes have been at a low enough level that they don't pose a serious risk to humans, but only time will tell if that remains the case. Countries around the world are working to ensure their plants are safe from natural disasters.

  29. What about FUSION???

  30. True or False 1. There are only a few nuclear weapons in existence today. 2. Nuclear energy is dangerous because it can release radiation. 3. Nuclear energy contributes to global warming. 4. Nuclear weapons have only been used in battle twice in the history of the planet. 5. You can make new elements by combining two atoms together. 6. Coal power causes less pollution than wind or water power. 7. Radiation was discovered by a woman. 8. Radioactive matter stays radioactive forever. 9. Radioactive isotopes occur naturally.

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