Nuclear Power Overview

​Copy down the key information

on the right side of pg. 73

in your notebook.

• It is energy from the nucleus of an atom.

• It is released by the process of fission, the splitting of atoms.

• It's main biproducts are steam and nuclear waste.

What is nuclear power?

• It produces about 10% of the world's total power.

• Note that fossil fuels currently make up 80%.

• It is most popular in the USA, making up 20% of USA's energy.

How common is nuclear power?

• It is toxic sludge or water mixed with pellets of uranium and other radioactive elements.

• Nuclear energy produces a brick-sized waste per person, per year.

• This is a relatively small amount compared to other energy sources.

What is nuclear waste?

Comparing Waste

• Nuclear energy produces 2,000 tons of waste every year in the USA.

  • This is toxic and radioactive, but not harmful to the overall climate.

• Fossil fuels produce about 5,000,000 tons of CO₂ every year in the USA.

  • This is extremely harmful to the overall climate.