PHYS 3650 - Modern
Physics
Lesson 27 - Nuclear Reactors
Study Assignment:
Chapter 30, Section 30.2
Lesson notes:
In this lesson, we will discuss the application of the fission process to nuclear reactors. We will concentrate our discussions on light water reactors (LWRs), the type used in the United States for electrical power production.
Objectives:
1. Be able to discuss advantages and disadvantages of the production of electricity using the nuclear power plants that utilize fission as their energy source.
2. Be able to discuss the components of a light water nuclear reactor.
3. Understand the differences between pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs).
4. Be able discuss the stages in the nuclear fuel cycle.
5. Be able to distinguish between high-level and low-level nuclear waste.
6. Be able to discuss the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear reactor accidents
7. Know and be able to state how breeding is performed in a breeder reactor.
Vocabulary:
thermal and fast neutrons
coolant
control rods
critical mass
containment vessel
moderator
CANDU heavy water reactor
cladding
enrichment
gaseous diffusion
emergency core cooling system (ECCS)
centrifuge
loss of coolant accident (LOCA)
laser isotope separation
China syndrome
reprocessing
nuclear proliferation
Yucca Mountain
Homework:
Additional resources:
Joseph Gonyeau maintains The Virtual Nuclear Tourist site which provides information on nuclear power plants around the world. site which provides information on nuclear power plants around the world.
The Nuclear Energy Institute provides a very pro-nuclear site designed to convince you of the benefits of nuclear power.
Greenpeace provides a very anti-nuclear site with a great detail of information designed to convince you of the dangers of nuclear power.
Frontline of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) provides a site titled "Why Do Americans Fear Nuclear Power?".
The Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management maintains a site that provides information on the Yucca Mountain project.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission maintains a Web site that provides a Fact Sheet on the accident at Three Mile Island.
The Nuclear Energy Agency provides a description of the Chernobyl (or Chornobyl) accident.
The World Nuclear Association maintains a page with information about the Chernobyl accident.
A site maintained by the Japanese Monju breeder reactor project provides information for fast breeder reactor programs.
The Nuclear Control Institute addresses the problems related to proliferation of weapons-grade fissile materials.
Last update: November 24, 2004