Enery Resources: Nuclear Power

Nuclear Power Summary

Nuclear power is generated using Uranium, which is a metal mined in various parts of the world.

The first large nuclear power station opened , England, in 1956.

Some military ships and submarines use nuclear power

How it Works

The reactor uses Uranium rods as fuel, Neutrons smash into the nucleus of the uranium atoms, which split in half and form energy in the form of heat.

The steam drives turbines which drive generators.

Advantages Nuclear power costs about the same as coal, so it's not expensive to make. Does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect. Produces huge amounts of energy from small amounts of fuel. Produces small amounts of waste. Nuclear power is reliable.

Disadvantages Although not much waste is produced, it is very, very dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for many years to allow the radioactivity to die away. Nuclear power is reliable, but a lot of money has to be spent on safety - if it does go wrong, a nuclear accident can be a major disaster. people are increasingly worried.

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Energy Resources: Geothermal Power

“Geothermal power

Is a way of generating heat and electricity from hot underground rocks. This form of power generation does not create pollution, and is renewable (as long as we do not extract too much, or the rocks cool down). However, we can only use this method to generate our power in certain places in the world, where suitable hot regions are near the surface.

Holes are drilled down to the hot region, and water is pumped down one. This water comes back up the other holes at a high temperature, usually much hotter than 100⁰C. Water can be a liquid above 100⁰C, so long as it’s under pressure. When it reaches the surface and the pressure is released, it “flashes” into steam, which we can use to heat houses, or to turn turbines and generate electricity. Sometimes there is hot water already underground

Plants such as soybeans and sunflowers produce oil, which can be used to make fuels.

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Global warming

Jeans for Insulation Video

Plastic bags

Lightbulbs

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/environment/energy-environment/great-energy-challenge.html#greenhouse-what-counts-env

Enerby Games

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/kids/games.html