Nuclear Power Plant

Nuclear power generates around 10% of electricity globally. Elements such as Uranium or Plutonium are mined to be made into fuel for nuclear reactors. The nuclear reactors within the power plant are where fission takes place, splitting the large nucleus of the element’s atom and releasing lots of energy in the process. In this scene students can explore the Nuclear power station and learn about: Nuclear Fission, Generating Electricity and Waste Products.

# Learning objectives

1: Be able to describe Nuclear Fission .{.info}

2: Be able to explain how nuclear fission is used to generate electricity{.info}

# Nuclear Fission{.objective .objective1}

In this section, there is a detailed description of Nuclear Fission. Fission is the splitting of atoms that leads to energy being released. By observing fission in the reactor, students should identify and describe what the atoms are doing.

# Generating Electricity{.objective .objective2}

In this section, the energy that is released by nuclear fission leads to water being heated. The steam produced drive turbines attached to a generator system, which generates electricity. In this activity students are asked to enter the scene and after visiting the reactor, follow the route taken out of the power station. Can they find a turbine? What does this connect with?

# Waste Products{.objective .objective3}

In this section, the waste products of a nuclear power plant are described. A small amount of radioactive fall out occurs, which is at a harmless level, but strict methods of control need to be employed to ensure a major fall out does not occur. The water that is used to drive the turbines may absorb some of the radiation, so the cooling towers ensure the water that condenses stays in the local area, within the power plant.