7.11 Nuclear Power

In 7.10 Nuclear Weapons, you learned of the great destructive power of the fission chain reaction (atom bombs) and even greater destructive power of the fusion reaction (H-bombs). In this quia you will learn of one great beneficial use of fission (and possibly fusion in the future): to generate electricity.

A vast majority of scientists agree that the continued burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) to generate electricity will lead to devastating climate changes, but is nuclear an acceptable alternative? You'll need to answer that for yourself.

First read this single page about uranium (much of it review):

http://www.chemicool.com/elements/uranium.html

Then read through the How Stuff Works article on Nuclear Power:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-reactor.htm

Then watch the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q7_n2E32_g
Note: There is one strange flaw near the very beginning when the narrator incorrectly states the reactor is essentially a "nuclear bomb!" (a correction flashes on the screen!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJfIbBDR3e8
Flashy animations make this video far more appealing though less informative. The video was put out by the nuclear industry. Can you tell!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HL1BEC024g
So, what is the future of nuclear power? Hear what one HIGH SCHOOL student is proposing! This young man is pretty amazing,and if you want to hear more about him, check out this video: (not required) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvXFrbvnpZE

Finally, what about FUSION!?

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/powering-the-future-what-will-fuel-the-next-thousand-years/#postComments
This short interview and article do a good job of summarizing the current status on fusion energy.

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