Nuclear Power
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| uranium/jʊəˈreɪnɪəm/ | uranium |
| Fission/ˈfɪʃn/ | The splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into lighter nuclei, releasing energy and often additional neutrons. |
| turbine/ˈtɜːbaɪn/ | A machine in which moving fluid, such as water, steam or air, turns a rotor to produce mechanical work. |
| carbon dioxide/ˈkɑːbən daɪˈɒksaɪd/ | A compound whose molecules contain one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. |
| waste/weɪst/ | Material discarded or left over after a process, consumption or use. |
| nonrenewable/ˌnɒnrɪˈnjuːəbl/ | Not naturally replaced fast enough to keep pace with human use. |
Energy from the atom
- Nuclear power does not burn any fuel.
- Instead it splits atoms of uranium 铀.
- Splitting an atom releases an enormous burst of heat.
- That heat is used to make electricity.
How it makes electricity
- Fission 裂变 splits uranium atoms, releasing heat.
- The heat boils water into high-pressure steam.
- The steam spins a turbine 涡轮机.
- The turbine drives a generator that makes electricity.
Nuclear fission of a uranium-235 nucleus releases energy
A nuclear power station. The two reactor buildings hold the fuel; the sea supplies cooling water
Nuclear power releases energy by…
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Nuclear fission splits uranium atoms, releasing huge heat with no burning and no CO2.
The big advantage
- Nuclear power releases almost no carbon dioxide 二氧化碳.
- One small pellet of uranium holds huge energy.
- A plant runs day and night, in any weather.
- So it gives steady, low-carbon electricity.
How a nuclear plant makes electricity
Follow the heat from a splitting uranium atom to electricity in the wires.
A big advantage of nuclear power is that it…
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Nuclear plants make steady electricity with almost no greenhouse gases — a real climate advantage.
The main drawback is dangerous radioactive ____ that stays hazardous for thousands of years.
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Spent fuel is radioactive waste that must be stored safely for thousands of years.
The serious drawbacks
- Fission leaves radioactive waste 废物, dangerous for thousands of years.
- A serious accident can release radiation over a wide area.
- Uranium is mined and limited — the fuel is nonrenewable 不可再生.
- Building a plant is very expensive and slow.
Uranium is a nonrenewable fuel that must be mined.
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Uranium ore is limited and mined from the ground, so nuclear fuel is nonrenewable.
Select all true statements about nuclear power.
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Nuclear is low-CO2 but makes radioactive waste and carries accident risk. Uranium is nonrenewable.
Nuclear power is a puzzle of opposites. It is low-carbon (a climate hero) but leaves long-lived radioactive waste (a disposal nightmare). It is very safe most of the time but a rare accident can be severe. Don't file it as simply "good" or "bad" — the exam wants you to weigh both sides.
Inside the plant:
- A uranium atom splits — releasing heat but no smoke and no CO2.
- The heat boils water; the steam spins a turbine; the generator sends electricity to the city.
- Years later, the used fuel is still dangerously radioactive and must be sealed away and guarded for millennia.
Nuclear power uses fission to split uranium atoms, releasing heat that boils water, spins a turbine, and generates electricity. Its advantage is steady, low-carbon dioxide power. Its drawbacks are long-lived radioactive waste, accident risk, and a nonrenewable, mined fuel.