2. Pgs. 54 & 55
2.4 Energy from Atoms
• Nuclear Power
– Most electricity in the US is produced from burning fossil fuels
– Nuclear Power is an alternative to fossil fuels
• Nuclear energy is produced from splitting large atoms
• FISSION: Splitting of large atoms into smaller atoms
– Uranium Fission
• Uranium-235 is a fissionable isotope
• After refining, it is placed in fuel rods to be used in power plants
• The rods are placed in the reactor core
• Neutrons are fired at the rods splitting the atoms
• A chain reaction begins
• High amounts of heat is released
• The heat is used to boil water producing steam
• The Steam turns a turbine connected to a generator = electricity
4. 2 Points of View
• Storing Nuclear Waste in Yucca Mountain:
– One major problem with nuclear energy is the waste
• Nuclear Waste: highly radioactive materials
– Can remain radioactive for thousands of years
– Must be stored safely
• Yucca Mountain, Nevada
– Selected as a possible Nuclear Waste disposal site
– Reasons for selection: Remote, Very little rain fall, Water table very far
below surface, & Land owned by US government
• Search for Other locations:
– Geologists have theories that water movement is very active in the
area (percolation & upwelling)
• Potentially could move toxic waste down to water table, or up to the
surface
– Earthquakes are also a concern (damaging containers)
