Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy-Nuclear Energy- when energy when energy is released when the nucleus of is released when the nucleus of an atom breaks apart (nuclear an atom breaks apart (nuclear fission). This nuclear energy is fission). This nuclear energy is converted to electrical energy.converted to electrical energy.

Nuclear Reactor-Nuclear Reactor- uses the uses the energy from controlled nuclear energy from controlled nuclear reactions to generate electricity.reactions to generate electricity.

Advantages of Nuclear PowerAdvantages of Nuclear Power

- Emits low amounts of carbon - Emits low amounts of carbon dioxide. There is little effect dioxide. There is little effect on global warming.on global warming.

- Generates large amount of Generates large amount of electrical energy from 1 electrical energy from 1 plant.plant.

Bright green- countries building their first reactorsGreen- countries building new reactorsTan- countries planning/considering their first reactorsOlive green-  countries planning/considering new reactorsBlue- countries with reactors, but no plans for expansion or phase-outLight blue- countries with reactors considering phase-outBrown- countries which formerly had commercial reactors, but all have been phased outGray- countries without commercial reactorsRed- countries that have declared themselves free of nuclear power and weapons

Risk of Nuclear PowerRisk of Nuclear Power

-Uranium (Environmental -Uranium (Environmental damage)damage)

-Water from reactor must be -Water from reactor must be cooled before it’s released into cooled before it’s released into streams. (harm fish, animals & streams. (harm fish, animals & plants)plants)

--Nuclear waste-Nuclear waste- radioactive by- radioactive by-product that results when product that results when radioactive materials are used.radioactive materials are used.

Radiation from Nuclear Power Radiation from Nuclear Power PlantsPlantsEx: 1986 Chernobyl, UkraineEx: 1986 Chernobyl, UkraineReactor core overheated and Reactor core overheated and caught fire and caused a caught fire and caused a chemical explosion that blew a chemical explosion that blew a hole in the reactor.hole in the reactor.-28 people died from acute -28 people died from acute radiation sicknessradiation sickness-260,000 people exposed to high -260,000 people exposed to high levels of radiation.levels of radiation.

Chernobyl, Ukraine- 9 miles away from Chernobyl, Ukraine- 9 miles away from plantplant