Chapter 16/17 RAD Guide September 13, 2015. NUCLEAR ENERGY

Chapter 16/17 RAD GuideApril 21, 2023

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Atomic Model s

Atomic Model (cont) Atomic consists of:

Protons ( + charge) Nuetrons (neutral charge) Electrons (- charge)

Protons and neutrons makes the nucleus Majority of atomic mass is in the nucleus Electrons orbit the nucleus

Atomic Number & Mass Number Atomic number: the number of protons in an

atom. Example: if oxygen has 8 protons, what is

oxygen’s atomic number? Mass number: the number of protons plus

the number of neutrons in an atom. We exclude electrons from mass number because

mass of electrons is negligible.

Isotopes s

Isotopes (cont)

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes.

This means that isotopes of the same element will have different mass numbers.

Note: the number of protons in isotopes are always the same.

Radioactivity Unstable atoms decay, emitting particles and

energy from the nucleus. After a series of decay changes, a radioactive

element becomes stable.

Types of Particles Emitted from Unstable Nuclei (Radiation)

Alpha particles (α): decay that gives off 2 protons and 2 neutrons

Beta particles (β): decay that gives off an electron, converting a neutron into a proton

Gamma (γ) radiation: form of electromagnetic radiation. A large burst of energy.

Question Which type of emissions alter an element’s …

Atomic number? Mass number?

Half-Life The amount of time it takes for half of the

atoms in a sample of radioactive material to decay.

Parent Atoms Decaying to Daughter Atoms.

d

d

Reactions and Reactors d

Nuclear Fission

Energy holds the protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus together.

Question: what would happen if we were to split the nucleus of an atom apart?

Nuclear Fission: Reaction in which the nucleus of a large atom is split into smaller nuclei.

Uranium -235 Chain Reaction most commonly used in nuclear reactors.

Critical Mass

Structure & function of nuclear power plant. Fission of U-235 in reactor vessel heats

H2O steam turns turbines energy stored in generator used as electricity

Water circulates between fuel rods, acting as a coolant and slowing neutrons.

control rods control how fast or slow reaction occurs

Nuclear Power Plant d

Breeder Reactors

Nuclear Fusion

Energy of the Future??

Nuclear Fusion Recall: Occurs when 2 atomic nuclei fuse to

become one larger nucleus The fuel for nuclear fusion reactions is deuterium

(H-2 isotope of hydrogen). Fuel is readily available in seawater Fusion produces much less waste than fission, and

produces enormous amounts of energy However, scientists are still learning how to

harness this energy source efficiently.

Nuclear Fusion using Deuterium

Nuclear Fusion with Deuterium and Tritium

Radioactive Waste Harmful to living organisms

Immediate effect: skin burns, anemia, death

Long term effect: changes in DNA, leading to cancer & genetic mutations

Radioactive Waste High-level wastes

Emit large amounts of radiation. Uranium fuel rods, control rods, coolant water.

Medium/Low-level wastes large volume of this type of waste is generated. Most common Effects may not be immediately noticeable.

Nuclear Waste Disposal High level wastes

Stored in tanks outside power plants Tanks often leak, leading to contaminated site.

Low/medium level wastes Often buried Enclosed and dropped into oceans.

Nuclear Waste Disposal Issues in finding permanent disposal method:

Long half-lives hazardous/poisonous. Wastes must be sealed in containers that will

never corrode Containers often leak into environment Waste sites must be geologically stable. Deep underground storage is highly expensive.

Nuclear Meltdown If the cooling and control systems in a reactor

core fail, the chain reaction becomes uncontrollable and melts reactor core.

Chernobyl Disaster

Solar Energy

The Sun Source of almost all the energy on Earth

Ecosystems Water Cycle Causes the winds to blow

Ecosystems s

Water Cycle dd

Wind d

Thermonuclear Fusion: Production of Solar Energy

d

Solar Energy Harnessing the sun’s energy to generate heat

and electricity. Advantages

renewable, nonpolluting. Disadvantages

Energy source is not constant Equipment is not size and cost efficient.

Passive Solar Energy Passive: sun’s energy is

collected, stored, & distributed naturally in enclosed dwelling Not used to produce electricity,

but reduces the need for it. Achieved through building

design and positioning. Ex: Greenhouse

Passive Solar Energy (cont) d

Passive Solar Energy (summary) South facing windows Building materials that absorb solar energy Glass-enclosed areas Dark colored walls and floors Good insulation Thick, heavy curtains or shutters.

Active Solar Energy Active: devices are used to

collect, store, and circulate heat produced from solar energy.

Types Flat-plate solar collectors Photovoltaic cells

Flat-Plate Solar collectors d

Flat-Plate Solar Collectors d

Solar One in Mojave Desert, CA. d

Photovoltaic (PV) Cells Only solar energy device that produces

electricity directly. Uses thin wafers of semiconductor material.

Silicon or selenium Structure:

Two thin slices of semiconductor material joined. Sunlight striking the cell causes electrons to move

from one slice to the other, resulting in an electric current.

PV Cells (cont) s

PV Cell (cont) Uses

Solar powered Calculators Solar powered watch Electricity for homes, industry, automobiles

Advantages Light weight No wastes or pollutants No moving parts Do not consume any materials

Hydroelectric Energy d

Dams Flowing Water

Water behind dam is directed at the turbine blades Water pushes against the turbine blades, causing them

to turn. (kinetic energy to mechanical energy) Mechanical energy of the turbine is transferred to coils

within a generator The coils spin through a magnetic field, producing

sent electricity

Function of Dams d

Advantages of Dams Renewable Controls flow of water

Flood control Navigation of Boats

Reservoirs Recreation areas (fish, boat, swim) Store water (irrigation and home use)

Disadvantages of Dams Changed water depth and flow alters natural plant

& animal life Shoreline can flood, leading to erosion & change

ecosystems Fish caught in turbine blades Prevent salmon from completing reproductive

cycle Stored water released into downstream water

causes changes a rapid change in temp

Tidal Energy (still hydroelectricity) High and low tides cause turbines to turn in

both directions generating electricity.

Tidal Energy Disadvantages In most regions, the difference between high

and low tide is insufficient to power a generator

Equipment damages surrounding wetlands Affects local ecosystems.

Wind Energy d

Aerogenerator

Windmills that are used to generate electricity (wind turbine generators)

Aerogenerators Winds causes blades to turn energy is stored in generator sent out as electricity Types

1. Blades on horizontal (like airplane)

2. Blades on vertical (like eggbeater) Used for calmer conditions

Wind Farms d

Advantages of Wind Power Renewable Free Unlimited nonpolluting

Disadvantages of Wind Power DISADVANTAGES

Not always windy enough Wins farms Require a lot of land Interferes with radio & TV signals Impact wildlife Ugly (?)

Geothermal Energy

Heat Source Radioactive decay of elements deep beneath

the ground. This decay gives off heat

lava, geysers steam vents, hot springs, & bubbling mud.

Hot Rock Zones 1.Hot water is pumped from deep underground through a

well under high pressure. 2.When the water reaches the surface, the pressure is

dropped, which causes the water to turn into steam. 3.The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a

generator that produces electricity. 4.The steam cools off in a cooling tower and condenses

back to water. 5.The cooled water is pumped back into the Earth to

begin the process again.

Hot Rock Zones d

What are some advantages & disadvantages to using geothermal?

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES1. Not easy to find

2. Most areas have very little geothermal heat at surface, and it’s not worth extracting.

3. Hydrogen Sulfide gas pollutes the air.

4. Minerals and salts corrode pipes.

5. Lack local H2O supply for steam production.