NUCLEAR ENERGY, BENEFIT, ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS,

AND DAMAGE TO HUMAN HEALTH

 NUCLEAR POWER

Nuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom. Atoms are tiny units that make
up all matter in the universe, and energy is what holds the nucleus together. There is a huge
amount of energy in an atom’s dense nucleus. In fact, the power that holds the nucleus together is
officially called the “strong force” Nuclear energy can be used to create electricity, but it must
first be released from the atom. In the process of nuclear fission, atoms are split to release that
energy. A nuclear reactor, or power plant, is a series of machines that can control nuclear fission
to produce electricity. The fuel that nuclear reactors use to produce nuclear fission is pellets of the
element uranium. In a nuclear reactor, atoms of uranium are forced to break apart. As they split,
the atoms release tiny particles called fission products. Fission products cause other uranium
atoms to split, starting a chain reaction. The energy released from this chain reaction creates heat.
 NUCLEAR POWER AND PEOPLE

Nuclear energy produces electricity that can be used to power homes,

schools, businesses, and hospitals. The first nuclear reactor to produce
electricity was located near Arco, Idaho. The Experimental Breeder
Reactor began powering itself in 1951. The first nuclear power plant
designed to provide energy to a community was established in
Obninsk, Russia, in 1954.
 FUTURE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

Nuclear reactors generate energy through fission, or the splitting of atoms. Fusion, or the
joining (fusing) of atoms, can also produce nuclear energy. For example, the sun
constantly undergoes nuclear fusion as hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium. Because all
life on Earth is dependent on the sun, you could argue that nuclear fusion makes life
possible.
Nuclear power plants lack the ability to generate energy from nuclear fusion in a safe and
reliable manner. It's unclear whether the process will ever be used to generate electricity.
However, nuclear engineers are investigating nuclear fusion because the process is likely
to be safe and cost-effective.
 NUCLEAR ENERGY PROS

1. LOW COST OF OPERATION

2. RELIABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY

3. STABLE BASE LOAD ENERGY

4. PRODUCES LOW POLLUTION

5. SUFFICIENT FUEL AVAILABILITY

6. IT HAS HIGH ENERGY DENSITY

 NUCLEAR ENERGY CONS
1. EXPENSIVE TO BUILD

2. ACCIDENTS

3. PRODUCES RADIOACTIVE WASTE

4. IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

5. SECURITY THREAT

6. LIMITED FUEL SUPPLY

 THE 1986 CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR DISASTER

AFTER
 THE 1986 CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR DISASTER

Occur: April 26, 1986

The reactor was destroyed in the accident and considerable amounts of
radioactive material were released to the environment.
Effects:
 Deaths
 Radiation
 Injuries
 Social and psychological disruption of lives
 Large areas were contaminated
 Health problems
 THE 2011 FUKUSHIMA, DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT DISASTER

AFTER
 THE 2011 FUKUSHIMA, DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT DISASTER

Occur: March 11, 2011

Following a major earthquake, a 15-metre tsunami disabled the power supply and
cooling of three Fukushima Daiichi reactors, causing a nuclear accident where all three
cores largely melted in the first three days.
Effects:
 No deaths or cases of radiation sickness from the nuclear accident, but over 100,000
people were evacuated from their homes as a preventative measure. Government
nervousness has delayed the return of many.
 However, official figures show that there have been 2,313 disaster-related deaths
among evacuees from Fukushima prefecture. Disaster-related deaths are in addition
to the about 19,500 that were killed by the earthquake or tsunami.
 MEMBERS
ABUGAN, JANILLA ROSE
ANADON, MHARIZ
ANGANA, MARCHELENE
MISA, FLORIBETH
SIACOR, LARA JANE

THANK YOU!