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FISSION TECHNOLOGIESFISSION TECHNOLOGIES
Nuclear Chain ReactionsNuclear Chain Reactions
Play Movie
““Little Boy”Little Boy”
HiroshimaHiroshima
PAYLOADSPAYLOADS
TYPICAL ATOMIC BOMBS HAVE TYPICAL ATOMIC BOMBS HAVE PAYLOADS OF @ 10 KILOTONSPAYLOADS OF @ 10 KILOTONS
THAT IS THE SAME DESTRUCTIVE THAT IS THE SAME DESTRUCTIVE FORCE AS EXPLODING 10,000 TONS OF FORCE AS EXPLODING 10,000 TONS OF TNT!!!!TNT!!!!
Nuclear Power PlantsNuclear Power Plants
Nuclear power plants use fission just like a Nuclear power plants use fission just like a nuclear or atomic bomb.nuclear or atomic bomb.
But in a power plant, the chain reactions are But in a power plant, the chain reactions are somewhat controlled.somewhat controlled.
How? Let’s look at a diagram of a nuclear How? Let’s look at a diagram of a nuclear reactor in a power plant…reactor in a power plant…
Diagram of a power plantDiagram of a power plant
Fuel rods Fuel rods
The uranium are first The uranium are first processed into small processed into small pellets about the size pellets about the size of a pencil eraser.of a pencil eraser.
Then the pellets are Then the pellets are placed into rods.placed into rods.
Fuel rods Fuel rods
U-238
U-235
Can’t ExplodeCan’t Explode
Nuclear power plants Nuclear power plants cannot explode like a cannot explode like a nuclear bomb!nuclear bomb!
What about Chernobyl?What about Chernobyl?
What about Chernobyl?What about Chernobyl?
generator
Core
H2O
Heat exchanger
steam
Was it a nuclear explosion?Was it a nuclear explosion?
NO!IT WAS A PRESSURE EXPLOSION FROM THE STEAM!
Even if it did!Even if it did!
Core
Containment Dome
In RussiaIn Russia
Core
Containment Dome
In RussiaIn Russia
Core
Control RodsControl Rods We can think of the control We can think of the control
rods as neutron sponges.rods as neutron sponges. If neutrons are stopped, If neutrons are stopped,
the chain reaction stopsthe chain reaction stops
Fuel RodsFuel Rods
Control Control RodsRods
Cooling TowersCooling Towers A cooling tower is a tall, hollow A cooling tower is a tall, hollow
cylinder that is pinched a little at the cylinder that is pinched a little at the top (those towers they feature on top (those towers they feature on “The Simpsons” with the steam “The Simpsons” with the steam coming out of it).coming out of it).
The warm water from the reactor The warm water from the reactor core must be cooled before core must be cooled before releasing it to the environment to releasing it to the environment to protect the wildlife.protect the wildlife.
Some of the water evaporates in the Some of the water evaporates in the cooling tower, but most of it is cooling tower, but most of it is recycled to be used in the reactor recycled to be used in the reactor core once it is cooled.core once it is cooled.
Only steam is released!Only steam is released!
H2O
Benefits of Nuclear PowerBenefits of Nuclear Power
The power from one kilogram of uranium is The power from one kilogram of uranium is equal to the power of 100,000 kilograms of equal to the power of 100,000 kilograms of oil.oil.
No carbon dioxide emissions to contribute to No carbon dioxide emissions to contribute to the Greenhouse Effectthe Greenhouse Effect
No sulfur emission to contribute to acid rain.No sulfur emission to contribute to acid rain. No need to use pipelines to transport gas No need to use pipelines to transport gas
and oil.and oil.
How much of the U.S. uses nuclear How much of the U.S. uses nuclear power?power?
FUSION TECNOLOGIESFUSION TECNOLOGIES
FUSIONFUSION
Joining nuclei of two atoms to form a Joining nuclei of two atoms to form a heavier atom.heavier atom.
Extremely HIGH temperatures.Extremely HIGH temperatures. Hydrogen isotopes combine to form heavier Hydrogen isotopes combine to form heavier
elements and release energy.elements and release energy. Electrostatic repulsion between atoms must Electrostatic repulsion between atoms must
be overcome in order for fusion to happen.be overcome in order for fusion to happen.
Hydrogen BombHydrogen Bomb
HYDROGEN BOMBSHYDROGEN BOMBS
MUST DETONATE ATOMIC (FISSION) MUST DETONATE ATOMIC (FISSION) BOMBS JUST TO GET THE REACTION BOMBS JUST TO GET THE REACTION TO OCCURTO OCCUR
PAYLOADSPAYLOADS
TYPICAL PAYLOADS OF A HYDROGEN TYPICAL PAYLOADS OF A HYDROGEN BOMB IS @5 MEGATONSBOMB IS @5 MEGATONS
THAT IS THE SAME DESTRUCTIVE THAT IS THE SAME DESTRUCTIVE FORCE AS 5 MILLION TONS OF TNT!!FORCE AS 5 MILLION TONS OF TNT!!
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