Difference between revisions of "Nuclear Power"
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− | + | ==Key Stage 3== | |
+ | ===Meaning=== | ||
+ | '''Nuclear Power''' is a method used to generate [[electricity]] using [[Nuclear Fuel|nuclear fuel]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===About Nuclear Power=== | ||
+ | : [[Nuclear Fuel]] can be used to provide [[power]] by generating electricity that can be sent to houses and industry. | ||
+ | : [[Nuclear Fuel]] has [[energy]] in its [[Nuclear Potential Energy Store|nuclear potential energy store]] which can be easily transferred into its [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy store]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[File:NuclearPowerStationDiagram.png|center|600px]] | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |A [[diagram]] of a [[coal]] [[Thermal Power Station|power station]]. | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | : 1. '''Nuclear Fuel''' undergoes a [[Nuclear Reaction|nuclear reaction]] in the [[Reactor Core|reactor core]]. | ||
+ | : 2. Water in the [[Reactor Core|reactor core]] is heated and passed through a heat exchanger. | ||
+ | : 3. Water in the [[Reactor Core|reactor core]] becomes contaminated with [[radioactive]] [[material]] so the heat exchanger heats up uncontaminated water. | ||
+ | : 3. The uncontaminated water turns to steam and passes down pipes to turn a turbine. | ||
+ | : 4. The turbine causes a generator to spin. | ||
+ | : 5. The generator makes an electrical current. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Advantages==== | ||
+ | *Can work continuously. | ||
+ | *Power supply can be varied depending on demand. | ||
+ | *Few [[Thermal Power Station|power station]]s needed to supply a large number of houses. | ||
+ | *High energy density (1kg of Uranium can provide the same energy as 10,000kg of coal). | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Disadvantages==== | ||
+ | *Cost of fuel. | ||
+ | *Difficult to safely dispose of nuclear waste. | ||
+ | *There is a small risk of meltdown. |
Revision as of 16:46, 8 April 2019
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Nuclear Power is a method used to generate electricity using nuclear fuel.
About Nuclear Power
- Nuclear Fuel can be used to provide power by generating electricity that can be sent to houses and industry.
- Nuclear Fuel has energy in its nuclear potential energy store which can be easily transferred into its thermal energy store.
A diagram of a coal power station. |
- 1. Nuclear Fuel undergoes a nuclear reaction in the reactor core.
- 2. Water in the reactor core is heated and passed through a heat exchanger.
- 3. Water in the reactor core becomes contaminated with radioactive material so the heat exchanger heats up uncontaminated water.
- 3. The uncontaminated water turns to steam and passes down pipes to turn a turbine.
- 4. The turbine causes a generator to spin.
- 5. The generator makes an electrical current.
Advantages
- Can work continuously.
- Power supply can be varied depending on demand.
- Few power stations needed to supply a large number of houses.
- High energy density (1kg of Uranium can provide the same energy as 10,000kg of coal).
Disadvantages
- Cost of fuel.
- Difficult to safely dispose of nuclear waste.
- There is a small risk of meltdown.