Nuclear Energy Notes

Nuclear EnergyBy Laura Dibble

The Neutron hits the nucleus, and splits it apart, and it gives off three neutrons. Those three neutrons hit another 3 nucleus', and then 9 more, then 27, and so on. In nuclear reactors, they lower in control rods to absorb 2 out of every 3 neutrons that fly off. It slows the reaction. The more the control rods are in, the slower the reaction (because more neutrons are absorbed. This heat from the splitting atom is what makes the steam.

How does this make electricity, you may ask? The EXTREME heat that the splitting atom heats the water, making steam. However, when using fossil fuels for energy, they are burned to create the steam. Then the steam is pressurized and turns a turbine, and then powers the generator. Yay! Electricity has been produced!

Advantages of Nuclear Energy costs little the only emission is steam, and it doesn't contribute to global warming/greenhouse effect produces HUGE amounts of energy from little fuel Little waste Reliable

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy although there isn't much, the waste is VERY DANGEROUS. It must be buried/sealed away for hundreds of years for the radioactivity to die away. Costs TONS of money to keep the reactors safe - if it goes wrong, it can be a HUGE disaster

Nuclear Energy is SUPER DANGEROUS