Nuclear Power Plant12/13

Integrated Science 3Name ______Per. ______

Introduction

Nuclear power plants produce more than 20% of the electricity generated in the United States. These plants make use of unstable, radioactive atoms of fissionable material to generate a controlled chain reaction. This material is usually uranium, but sometimes plutonium. In this fission reaction, uranium atoms are split into smaller atoms. This process releases extra neutrons and a lot of heat energy. The equation E=mc2 describes how nuclear fission converts small amounts of matter into large amounts of energy. The neutrons released during a fission reaction trigger new fission events resulting in a chain reaction. The heat energy produced is used to boil water that spins a turbine that subsequently generates a flow of electrons – better known as electricity.

In this activity, we will examine the details of design and operation for a common type of nuclear reactors, a pressurized water reactor.

Procedures

  1. Read the handout “How a Nuclear Reactor Works”.
  2. Study the diagram (below) of a nuclear pressurized water reactor. It represents a type of nuclear reactor design that is currently in operation. Use the word bank provided to label the lettered components below.

control rods / concrete outer wall / machine that raises/lowers control rods / steam turbine / steam generator
fuel rods / sealed steel liner / waste heat / electrical generator / cooling tower input
water pump (2) / pressure vessel/core / steam / condenser
  1. Answer the questions that follow by placing the name of the appropriate component(s) in the diagram in the appropriate column.

Questions / Name of Component(s)

Part a. Path of the Heat

1. Where does nuclear fission take place?
2. Where is water changed from liquid to steam?
3. Where does waste heat leave the nuclear power plant?
4. Where does steam turn to liquid water?

Part B. Energy Conversions

5. Where is mass converted to energy (E=mc2)?
6. Where is heat converted to mechanical energy?
7. Where is mechanical energy converted to electricity?

Part C. Nuclear Reactions

8. Where is the uranium (or plutonium)?
9. Where is the location where most of the fission products collect?
10. What structures serve to prevent the escape of harmful radiation?

Conclusion Questions

Directions: Read page 251 in your textbook. Use the diagram and the handout, ‘How a Nuclear Reactor Works’ for supplemental information. Answer the questions below.

  1. List and describe the 5 main parts of a nuclear reactor.
  1. Fission reactions yield heat energy as well as nuclear waste. What happens to the nuclear waste after the nuclear fuel has been used?
  1. What is a nuclear meltdown? Explain why a meltdown might occur inside a nuclear reactor and how nuclear reactors are designed to prevent meltdowns.
  1. Read Figure 9.31 on page 374 in your Global Science Book. Summarize the major advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear fuel as a source of energy to generate electricity.