3.65. Nuclear Fission http://www.ck12.org
Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy
In the U.S., the majority of electricity is produced by burning coal or other fossil fuels. This causes air pollution
that harms the health of living things. The air pollution also causes acid rain and contributes to global warming.
In addition, fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources, so if we keep using them, they will eventually run out. The
main advantage of nuclear energy is that it doesn’t release air pollution or cause the other environmental problems
associated with the burning of fossil fuels. On the other hand, radioactive elements are nonrenewable like fossil fuels
and could eventually be used up.
The main concern over the use of nuclear energy is the risk of radiation. Accidents at nuclear power plants can
release harmful radiation that endangers people and other living things. Even without accidents, the used fuel that is
left after nuclear fission reactions is still radioactive and very dangerous. It takes thousands of years for it to decay
until it no longer releases harmful radiation. Therefore, used fuel must be stored securely to protect people and other
living things. You can learn more about the problem of radioactive waste at this URL: http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=OPQ97LVRuuM
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/82364Summary
- Nuclear fission is the splitting of the nucleus of an atom into two smaller nuclei. This type of reaction releases
a great deal of energy from a very small amount of matter. It begins when the nucleus of a radioactive atom
gains a neutron. - In uncontrolled nuclear fission, one fission reaction starts a chain reaction, in which neutrons produced in one
reaction cause other reactions, which cause more reactions, and so on. - Energy released by nuclear fission is used to produce electrical energy in nuclear power plants. Production of
nuclear energy doesn’t produce air pollution but it poses the risk of accidents that release harmful radiation.
Vocabulary
- nuclear fission: Splitting of the nucleus of an atom into two smaller nuclei.
Explore More
Watch the video about nuclear fission at the following URL, and then answer the questions below. http://www.youtu
be.com/watch?v=IJsmaBqR5xM
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/82365