AP Environmental FRQ Ch. 12 and 13

Nuclear electricity generation

Uranium-235 fuel in fuel rods undergoes fission in reactor core, releasing heat that boils water to make steam; steam spins turbine connected to generator; steam condenses and water recycles

Nuclear fission

Neutron strikes large atomic nucleus (U-235), causing it to split into two+ parts, releasing neutrons and heat energy

Fuel rod

Cylindrical tube enclosing uranium-235 fuel inside nuclear reactor where fission occurs and produces heat

Control rod

Cylindrical device inserted between fuel rods to absorb neutrons and control/slow/stop fission reaction

Nuclear reactor core

Contains fuel rods + control rods; controlled fission heats water → steam → turbine → generator → electricity

Hiroshima

1945 atomic bomb using uranium fission detonated over Japan; weapons explosion, not power plant meltdown

Three Mile Island

1979 PA nuclear plant; cooling failure + human error caused partial core meltdown; radiation mostly contained

Fukushima

2011 Japan nuclear plant; earthquake/tsunami disabled cooling → partial meltdowns + hydrogen explosions → radiation release

Nuclear pros

No air pollution/CO2 during operation; high energy density; reduces imported oil dependence

Nuclear cons

Accident risk; long-lived radioactive waste; expensive plants; terrorism target potential

Radioactive waste

Spent nuclear fuel still emitting harmful radiation after no longer useful for power generation

High-level waste

Used fuel rods; very hot + highly radioactive; needs long-term secure isolation

Low-level waste

Contaminated clothing/tools/rags from plant operations; lower radioactivity levels

Uranium mine tailings

Radioactive residue left after uranium ore mining/processing

Waste disposal

Secure shielded storage in on-site facilities or deep geological repositories for thousands of years

Nuclear vs fossil pros

Baseload power with no SO2/CO2 vs coal/oil's major air pollution + greenhouse emissions

Nuclear vs fossil cons

Expensive + waste + meltdown risk vs fossil fuels' air pollution + climate impacts