Fission and fusion - Lesson 3

OUTCOME

By the end of the lesson you will understand the way that nuclear reactions are harnessed to generate electricity.

A fission reactor is used to generate electricity by harnessing the power of chain reactions of splitting the nuclei of Uranium. A fusion reactor does the same thing but by fusing two nuclei together with no negative environmental impact.

Why don't we use fusion reactors?

LEARNING TASKS

Explain

Watch the video on how a nuclear power station works and answer:

Why do we need to enrich the uranium?

Are there similarities to the way a coal power station operates?

What prevents a meltdown and how?

How do they dispose of the radioactive waste?

Elaborate

Questions 11-15

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