Starter quiz
- What happens when a nucleus undergoes fission in a nuclear reactor?
- it combines with other nuclei, forming a larger atom
- it emits only heat, with no by–products
- it splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy ✓
- it absorbs neutrons without breaking apart
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- What produces the energy in a nuclear power station?
- the burning of uranium (or plutonium) in the reactor
- the combining of two uranium (or plutonium) nuclei
- the absorption of neutrons by fuel rods
- the splitting of uranium (or plutonium) nuclei during fission ✓
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- How is heat transferred from the reactor core to produce steam in a nuclear power station?
- heat is transferred to water through the heat exchanger ✓
- fuel rods directly burn and heat the water
- steam is produced by the control rods
- the turbine produces heat by spinning
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- What role does steam play in generating electricity in a nuclear power station?
- steam absorbs radiation from the reactor
- steam heats the reactor core
- steam turns the turbine, which drives the generator ✓
- steam cools the control rods
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- What is the role of control rods in a nuclear reactor?
- they absorb neutrons to control the rate of the chain reaction ✓
- they release neutrons to start the chain reaction
- they produce heat by burning fuel
- they slow down the movement of steam
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- Which of the following statements about nuclear and fossil–fuel power stations are correct?
- Both nuclear and fossil–fuel stations emit large amounts of carbon dioxide.
- Fossil–fuel power stations are more efficient than nuclear power stations.
- Nuclear power stations generate heat through nuclear fission. ✓
- Fossil–fuel power stations burn coal, gas, or oil to produce heat. ✓
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Exit quiz
- Why are the products of nuclear fission often radioactive?
- they are formed by splitting unstable nuclei and are often unstable themselves ✓
- they are not radioactive, they are made from stable isotopes
- they become radioactive when heated
- radioactivity is unrelated to nuclear fission
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- Which of the following statements about fission by–products is correct?
- They cool down slowly and can reignite.
- They release energy but only for a few days.
- They become safe after a few months.
- They remain radioactive and dangerous for thousands of years. ✓
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- Match the following levels of radioactive waste to the correct descriptions.
- low–level waste (LLW)⇔contains small amounts of radioactivity, often from hospitals/industry ✓
- intermediate–level waste (ILW)⇔more radioactive than LLW and requires shielding but not cooling ✓
- high–level waste (HLW)⇔extremely radioactive and requires cooling and long–term storage ✓
- How does the risk of catastrophic failure in modern nuclear reactors compare to other energy sources?
- the risk is very low due to advanced safety measures ✓
- the risk is much higher than other energy sources
- the risk is the same as in fossil fuel plants
- there is no risk of failure in nuclear reactors
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- Why would fusion reactors be considered better than fission reactors?
- fusion uses less energy to generate the same amount of power
- fusion reactors carry no risk of runaway chain reactions ✓
- fusion reactors are already widely in use for energy production
- fusion reactors would produce less radioactive waste ✓
- fusion releases more energy per kg of fuel than fission ✓
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- Why have nuclear fusion power stations not yet been developed?
- fusion doesn’t produce enough energy to be useful
- it is difficult to achieve the high temperatures required for fusion on Earth ✓
- fusion produces too much radioactive waste
- we lack the fuel necessary for fusion reactions
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The products and by–products of nuclear fission are often radioactive.
- The products and by–products of nuclear fission need to be safely stored for very long periods of time.
- Nuclear reactors do not emit carbon dioxide and risks of catastrophic failure are very small.
- Nuclear fusion requires extremely high temperatures such as those found in the centre of stars.
- Nuclear fusion power stations would create very little radioactive waste, but have not yet been developed.
Common misconception
Nuclear power stations continually emit radiation into the environment.
Clearly distinguish day–to–day processes and the lack of emissions from the generation of nuclear waste, and methods for dealing with it.
Keywords
Nuclear waste - produced in nuclear power plants; high–level waste is the most radioactive and dangerous
Radioactive contamination - caused when radioactive materials are released into the environment
Decommissioning - the process of shutting down and dismantling a nuclear power plant, which is very expensive
Carbon emissions - emitted from fossil fuel power stations and are mostly carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas
Nuclear fusion - the combining of small nuclei at very high temperatures with the release of energy
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