produced in nuclear power plants; high–level waste is the most radioactive and dangerous

caused when radioactive materials are released into the environment

the process of shutting down and dismantling a nuclear power plant, which is very expensive

emitted from fossil fuel power stations and are mostly carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas

the combining of small nuclei at very high temperatures with the release of energy

Nuclear power

Physics

Evidence of atomic structure

Unstable nuclei

Nuclear decay (including beta–plus)

Ionising radiation

Radioactive half-life

Activity and half-life calculations (including complex ones)

Uses of radiation

Nuclear fission and fusion

Nuclear power stations

In A-level physics, some pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about probability and half-life equations, nuclear instability, Einstein’s equation E = mc2 that links mass and energy, and controlled nuclear fission.

In the Periodic table unit, in chemistry, pupils learnt about the nuclear model of the atom, the atomic number and mass number, and about isotopes of elements.

This unit covers atomic structure, isotopes, radioactive decay, and half-life. It explores alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, nuclear fission and fusion, and the uses of radiation in medicine, highlighting differences between contamination and irradiation.

Nuclear physics

they are formed by splitting unstable nuclei and are often unstable themselves

they are not radioactive, they are made from stable isotopes

radioactivity is unrelated to nuclear fission

Why are the products of nuclear fission often radioactive?

They release energy but only for a few days. 

They remain radioactive and dangerous for thousands of years.  

Which of the following statements about fission by–products is correct?

contains small amounts of radioactivity, often from hospitals/industry

more radioactive than LLW and requires shielding but not cooling

extremely radioactive and requires cooling and long–term storage

Match the following levels of radioactive waste to the correct descriptions.

the risk is very low due to advanced safety measures

the risk is much higher than other energy sources

the risk is the same as in fossil fuel plants

there is no risk of failure in nuclear reactors

How does the risk of catastrophic failure in modern nuclear reactors compare to other energy sources?

fusion uses less energy to generate the same amount of power

fusion reactors carry no risk of runaway chain reactions

fusion reactors are already widely in use for energy production

fusion reactors would produce less radioactive waste

fusion releases more energy per kg of fuel than fission

Why would fusion reactors be considered better than fission reactors?

fusion doesn’t produce enough energy to be useful

it is difficult to achieve the high temperatures required for fusion on Earth

fusion produces too much radioactive waste

we lack the fuel necessary for fusion reactions

Why have nuclear fusion power stations not yet been developed?

it combines with other nuclei, forming a larger atom

it emits only heat, with no by–products

it splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy

it absorbs neutrons without breaking apart

What happens when a nucleus undergoes fission in a nuclear reactor?

the burning of uranium (or plutonium) in the reactor

the combining of two uranium (or plutonium) nuclei

the splitting of uranium (or plutonium) nuclei during fission

What produces the energy in a nuclear power station?

heat is transferred to water through the heat exchanger

fuel rods directly burn and heat the water

How is heat transferred from the reactor core to produce steam in a nuclear power station?

steam turns the turbine, which drives the generator

What role does steam play in generating electricity in a nuclear power station?

they absorb neutrons to control the rate of the chain reaction

they release neutrons to start the chain reaction

What is the role of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

Both nuclear and fossil–fuel stations emit large amounts of carbon dioxide.

Fossil–fuel power stations are more efficient than nuclear power stations.

Nuclear power stations generate heat through nuclear fission. 

Fossil–fuel power stations burn coal, gas, or oil to produce heat. 

Which of the following statements about nuclear and fossil–fuel power stations are correct?

Starter Quiz

What happens when a nucleus undergoes fission in a nuclear reactor?