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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Nuclear Power Generation
Nuclear power is a method of generating electricity using the heat released from nuclear reactions, primarily nuclear fission. It provides about 10% of the world's electricity from approximately 440 power reactors and plays a significant role in the global energy mix as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.
Key Definitions:
Nuclear power stations work in a similar way to conventional power stations, but instead of burning fuel, they use the heat from nuclear fission to produce steam.
1. A neutron hits a uranium-235 atom, splitting it into two smaller atoms.
2. This split releases energy and more neutrons.
3. These neutrons hit other uranium atoms, causing a chain reaction.
4. The energy released as heat is used to boil water into steam.
5. The steam drives turbines connected to generators, producing electricity.
• Reactor core: Contains fuel rods with uranium.
• Control rods: Absorb neutrons to control the reaction rate.
• Coolant: Usually water, transfers heat from the reactor.
• Steam generator: Creates steam to drive turbines.
• Containment structure: Prevents radiation leakage.
Nuclear power offers several benefits as an energy source, making it an important part of many countries' energy strategies.
Nuclear power plants produce minimal greenhouse gases during operation, making them a low-carbon energy source that can help combat climate change.
A small amount of uranium produces enormous energy. One uranium fuel pellet (the size of a fingertip) creates as much energy as one tonne of coal.
Nuclear plants can operate continuously for up to 18 months before refuelling and aren't affected by weather conditions, unlike renewable sources.
Despite its benefits, nuclear power comes with significant challenges and concerns that must be addressed.
Nuclear plants produce radioactive waste that remains dangerous for thousands of years and requires careful, long-term storage solutions.
Building nuclear plants requires massive upfront investment. Decommissioning old plants and managing waste adds to the lifetime costs.
Although rare, accidents can have severe consequences. Safety systems and regulations are extensive but cannot eliminate all risks.
Nuclear power has both positive and negative environmental impacts that must be considered when evaluating its role in energy systems.
The 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union) is the worst nuclear accident in history. A flawed reactor design and serious mistakes by operators led to an explosion and fire that released enormous amounts of radioactive material. The immediate area remains uninhabitable, with a 30km exclusion zone still in place. Wildlife has returned to the area, creating an unintended nature reserve, but many species show genetic mutations. The disaster led to major improvements in nuclear safety worldwide.
One of the biggest challenges of nuclear power is safely managing the radioactive waste it produces.
Low-level waste: Items like tools and clothing with small amounts of radiation.
Intermediate-level waste: Resins, chemical sludges and reactor components.
High-level waste: Used fuel rods and waste from reprocessing, extremely radioactive.
Temporary storage: Cooling ponds at power plants.
Interim storage: Dry cask storage for cooled waste.
Deep geological repositories: Long-term solution burying waste deep underground in stable rock formations.
Nuclear power is not evenly distributed around the world. Some countries rely heavily on it while others have none or are phasing it out.
The United States has the most nuclear reactors (about 93), but France generates the highest percentage of its electricity from nuclear power (about 70%). Other major nuclear power users include China, Russia, South Korea, Canada and the UK. After the 2011 Fukushima disaster, some countries like Germany decided to phase out nuclear power, while others like China continue to build new plants.
In March 2011, a massive 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit Japan, causing a severe accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Three reactors melted down when the tsunami flooded the emergency generators needed to cool the reactors. The disaster led to widespread evacuation, contamination of land and sea and a global reassessment of nuclear safety. Japan shut down all its nuclear reactors temporarily and many countries reviewed their nuclear policies. The cleanup is expected to take decades and cost billions of pounds.
As the world seeks to reduce carbon emissions while meeting growing energy demands, nuclear power's role is being reconsidered.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): Smaller, cheaper reactors that can be factory-built.
Generation IV reactors: Advanced designs with improved safety and less waste.
Fusion power: Experimental technology that could provide abundant energy with minimal waste.
The future of nuclear power depends on balancing:
• Climate change mitigation needs
• Safety concerns and public perception
• Economic competitiveness with renewables
• Solutions for waste management
• Political and policy decisions
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