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Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Nuclear power

I can compare the pros and cons of the generation of electricity using nuclear power.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Nuclear power

I can compare the pros and cons of the generation of electricity using nuclear power.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The products and by–products of nuclear fission are often radioactive.
  2. The products and by–products of nuclear fission need to be safely stored for very long periods of time.
  3. Nuclear reactors do not emit carbon dioxide and risks of catastrophic failure are very small.
  4. Nuclear fusion requires extremely high temperatures such as those found in the centre of stars.
  5. Nuclear fusion power stations would create very little radioactive waste, but have not yet been developed.

Keywords

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

  • Radioactive contamination - caused when radioactive materials are released into the environment

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

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

  • Nuclear fusion - the combining of small nuclei at very high temperatures with the release of energy

Common misconception

Nuclear power stations continually emit radiation into the environment.

Clearly distinguish day–to–day processes and the lack of emissions from the generation of nuclear waste, and methods for dealing with it.

For some classes, it can help to prepare information cards that can be sorted into categories of pros, cons, and neutral impact, in order to scaffold pupils' descriptions of the pros and cons of nuclear power stations.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What happens when a nucleus undergoes fission in a nuclear reactor?
it combines with other nuclei, forming a larger atom
it emits only heat, with no by–products
Correct answer: it splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy
it absorbs neutrons without breaking apart
Q2.
What produces the energy in a nuclear power station?
the burning of uranium (or plutonium) in the reactor
the combining of two uranium (or plutonium) nuclei
the absorption of neutrons by fuel rods
Correct answer: the splitting of uranium (or plutonium) nuclei during fission
Q3.
How is heat transferred from the reactor core to produce steam in a nuclear power station?
Correct answer: heat is transferred to water through the heat exchanger
fuel rods directly burn and heat the water
steam is produced by the control rods
the turbine produces heat by spinning
Q4.
What role does steam play in generating electricity in a nuclear power station?
steam absorbs radiation from the reactor
steam heats the reactor core
Correct answer: steam turns the turbine, which drives the generator
steam cools the control rods
Q5.
What is the role of control rods in a nuclear reactor?
Correct answer: they absorb neutrons to control the rate of the chain reaction
they release neutrons to start the chain reaction
they produce heat by burning fuel
they slow down the movement of steam
Q6.
Which of the following statements about nuclear and fossil–fuel power stations are correct?
Both nuclear and fossil–fuel stations emit large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Fossil–fuel power stations are more efficient than nuclear power stations.
Correct answer: Nuclear power stations generate heat through nuclear fission.
Correct answer: Fossil–fuel power stations burn coal, gas, or oil to produce heat.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why are the products of nuclear fission often radioactive?
Correct answer: they are formed by splitting unstable nuclei and are often unstable themselves
they are not radioactive, they are made from stable isotopes
they become radioactive when heated
radioactivity is unrelated to nuclear fission
Q2.
Which of the following statements about fission by–products is correct?
They cool down slowly and can reignite.
They release energy but only for a few days.
They become safe after a few months.
Correct answer: They remain radioactive and dangerous for thousands of years.
Q3.
Match the following levels of radioactive waste to the correct descriptions.
Correct Answer:low–level waste (LLW),contains small amounts of radioactivity, often from hospitals/industry

contains small amounts of radioactivity, often from hospitals/industry

Correct Answer:intermediate–level waste (ILW),more radioactive than LLW and requires shielding but not cooling

more radioactive than LLW and requires shielding but not cooling

Correct Answer:high–level waste (HLW),extremely radioactive and requires cooling and long–term storage

extremely radioactive and requires cooling and long–term storage

Q4.
How does the risk of catastrophic failure in modern nuclear reactors compare to other energy sources?
Correct answer: 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
Q5.
Why would fusion reactors be considered better than fission reactors?
fusion uses less energy to generate the same amount of power
Correct answer: fusion reactors carry no risk of runaway chain reactions
fusion reactors are already widely in use for energy production
Correct answer: fusion reactors would produce less radioactive waste
Correct answer: fusion releases more energy per kg of fuel than fission
Q6.
Why have nuclear fusion power stations not yet been developed?
fusion doesn’t produce enough energy to be useful
Correct answer: 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