Radiation and Nuclear Power Plants

Living cells can be exposed to radiation when

an isotope decays nearby, or if a living organism consumes a radioactive isotope which decays inside them

Radiation can damage a cell’s…

DNA

What happens if a cell has DNA damage?

The cell cannot replicate and begins to die. This can cause radiation sickness and cancer

Symptoms of radiation sickness

nausea, hair loss, tissue damage, death

Unit used to measure radiation exposure

Sieverts

How many sieverts does the average person receive in a year?

.002-.003

Medical procedures, eating bananas, and plane flights are all things that…

expose people to tiny amounts of radiation

What is the threshold for cancer risk?

.1 sieverts per year

What to things help prevent explosions in nuclear power plants?

Coolants and control rods. They keep the reaction and energy in check

What have been the 3 major nuclear power plant accidents?

Chernobyl 1986, Three Mile Run 1979, Fukushima 2011

Coolant/moderator pads

Absorbs heat and energy released by a nuclear reaction

Control Rod

Often made of cadmium, absorb neutrons to control the rate of fission

Heated coolant

Used to heat water, producing steam. Steam spins turbine and generates electricity

Fuel rods

Contain nuclear fuel and keep them from escaping into the coolant