11.3. Nuclear Energy http://www.ck12.org
- Einstein’s equation,E=mc^2 , shows that matter and energy are two forms of the same thing. In nuclear fission
and nuclear fusion, a tiny amount of matter changes to a huge amount of energy. The amount of energy equals
the mass of the "lost" matter times the square of the speed of light.
Lesson Review Questions
Recall
- Describe how nuclear fission occurs.
- What is a nuclear chain reaction?
- Outline what happens during nuclear fusion.
- What are advantages of using nuclear fusion as opposed to nuclear fission for energy?
Apply Concepts
- Create a flowchart to show how nuclear fission is used to generate electricity.
Think Critically
- Relate Einstein’s equation,E=mc^2 , to the energy released in nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
- Less than one-quarter of the electricity used in the U.S. is generated from nuclear energy. Some people think
we should use more nuclear power. Other people think we should use less or even none at all. Take a stand on
this issue, and present facts and logical arguments to support your point of view.
Points to Consider
Einstein’s equation is part of a larger theory called the theory of relativity. It is concerned with concepts such as
motion and forces as well as mass and energy. Motion and forces are the focus of succeeding chapters.
- Based on your real-world experiences, how would you define motion?
- Forces include gravity and friction. How might these forces be related to motion?