Nuclear Power

Nuclear Power

Locations of Nuclear Power plants in the US.

Locations of Nuclear Power plants in the World

Do Nuclear Power plants Pollute?

No they don’t. This is Steam being released.

Nuclear Power Plant Operation

Uranium ore

Nuclear Reactor Fuel

Uranium ore is

refined then formed into pellets.

Nuclear Reactor FuelThese Pellets arethen put into Fuel rods which are Assembled Into packs of Fuel Rod Assemblies

Nuclear Reaction

This cannot Happen

Parts of an AtomWhat is an atom composed of?•Protons•Neutrons•Electrons

ProtonsProtons have a positivecharge and are locatedin the nucleus of the atom.

Neutrons

Neutrons are located in the nucleus and have no charge

Electron are found on the outside of the atom.

An electrically balanced atom will have the same number of electrons and protons

Electrons

The Periodic Table

Review of Atoms Mass Number – protons (p+) and

neutrons (n0) Atomic Number – Protons (p+) Neutral Atoms = P and E If you change the atomic number

it is a new element Number of Neutrons = Mass – Atomic

#

Isotopes Atom with same protons but different

neutrons. Most have only one stable form.

Best Example is Hydrogen

What is Nuclear Decay?

Nuclear decay nucleus gives off matter and energy. Result: New element

Strong Force = Holds together P and N. Larger nucleus has a weaker force.

Radioactive

A nucleus with too many or too few neutrons compared to protons is considered radioactive.

Ionizing Radiation Ionizing radiation is produced by unstable

atoms. Unstable atoms differ from stable atoms because they have an excess of energy or mass or both.

Unstable atoms are said to be radioactive. In order to reach stability, these atoms give off, or emit, the excess energy or mass. These emissions are called radiation.

3 types of ionizing Radiation

Alpha Helium Nucleus

Beta ElectronGamma EM Radiation

These are other products thatcan be produced along with the new element

Ionizing Radiation

alpha particle

beta particle

Radioactive Atom

X-ray

gamma ray

Neutron

Alpha radiation Nucleus of a helium atom Symbolically represented: Chemically written: 4He Least Destructive Radiation Can be stopped by a sheet of

thick paper

2

Alpha Particles: 2 neutrons and 2 protonsThey travel short distances, have large massOnly a hazard when inhaled

Alpha Particles

Beta radiation Composed of one electron Symbolically represented: Chemically written: e- or Positron is e+ or More Destructive than Alpha

Radiation Stopped by a sheet of aluminum

𝐞−𝟏𝟎

𝐞+𝟏𝟎

Beta Particles

Gamma radiation High energy Electro-Magnetic Waves Has no mass or charge Symbolically represented: Most Destructive Radiation (Most

penetrating) Very difficult to stop Reduced by thick lead or concrete

Gamma Rays

Half LifePeriod of time it takes for a substance to decrease its mass by 1/2

Nuclear Half-Life Equation Ni * (1/2)nt1/2 = Nf

Ni – Initial amount of radioactive material

nt1/2 -# of half-lives Nf – Final amount of radioactive

material

To get nt1/2, you must divide time given in problem by the half-life.

Nuclear halflife examples Polonium210

Half Life: 138 daysAlpha decay

Strontium90Half Life: 28.5 yearsBeta decay

Cobalt60Half Life: 5.27 yearsGamma decay

Alpha Decay ExamplePolonium210

Half Life: 138 daysAlpha decay

If you have 48kg of Polonium 210, How much will be left after 138 days?

How much will be left after 276 days? (2 half lives)

How much will be left after 414 days? (3 half lives)

Ans: 24 kg

Ans: 12 kg

Ans: 6 kg

Beta Decay ExampleStrontium90

Half Life: 28.5 yearsBeta decay

If you have 30kg of Strontium 90, How much will be left after 28.5 years?

How much will be left after 57 years? (2 half lives)

How much will be left after 85.5 years? (3 half lives)

Ans: 15 kg

Ans: 7.5 kg

Ans: 3.75 kg

Gamma Decay ExampleCobalt60

Half Life: 5.27 yearsGamma decay

If you have 1 kg of Cobolt 60, How much will be left after 5.27 years?

How much will be left after 10.54 years? (2 half lives)

How much will be left after 15.81 years? (3 half lives)

Ans: 0.5 kg

Ans: 0.25 kg

Ans: 0.125 kg

Nuclear Reactions Decaying nucleus releases particles

or energy. Creates new atoms or elements A Released mass = released energy.

E = mc2

Some are used in medicines

Nuclear FissionSplitting a nucleus = two smaller nuclei (smaller mass) = Big energyex) Atomic Bombs and Nuclear ReactorsChain Reaction = Ongoing fissionEx) box of mouse traps, once one hits it causes the others to snapCritical Mass = Amount of material need to keep a constant rate in our chain reaction

Nuclear Fusion Joining of two nuclei, smaller mass=

Larger nucleus with larger mass Must have a very high rate of speed

to overcome the natural tendency to repel.

Ex) Sun and Stars