Electrical Generation – Nuclear Power Plants
Integrated Science 4 Honors
Name __________________________ Per. ______
Introduction
Nuclear power plants produce more than 20% of the electricity generated in the United States. These plants
make use of unstable, radioactive atoms of fissionable material to generate a controlled chain reaction. This material is
usually uranium, but sometimes plutonium. In this fission reaction, uranium atoms are split into smaller atoms. This
process releases extra neutrons and a lot of heat energy. The equation E=mc2 describes how nuclear fission converts
small amounts of matter into large amounts of energy. The neutrons released during a fission reaction trigger new
fission events resulting in a chain reaction. The heat energy produced is used to boil water that spins a turbine that
subsequently generates a flow of electrons – better known as electricity.
In this activity, we will examine the details of design and operation for a common type of nuclear reactors, a
pressurized water reactor.
Procedures
1. Read pages 370-374 in the Global Science textbook (Christensen, 2000) and the handout “How a Nuclear Reactor
Works”.
2. Study the following diagram of a nuclear pressurized water reactor. It represents a type of nuclear reactor design
that is currently in operation. Some parts have been left out of the diagram to make operation of the reactor more
clear. For example, it would have three or four steam generators.
3. Use the information available to you to complete the chart on the following page. Place the letter(s) corresponding
to the nuclear plant component(s) in the diagram in the appropriate column on the chart.
PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR-NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Analysis
QUESTIONS
LETTERS
PART A. PARTS OF A POWER PLANT
1. Which two letters indicate the water pumps?
2. Which letter indicates a fuel rod?
3. Which letter indicates the machines that raise and lower the control rods?
4. Which letter indicates the reactor vessel?
5. Does the pump push cool water into the pressure vessel/reactor vessel or
does it pull hot water out?
6. Two of the letters identify structures that serve as containment, preventing
the escape of fission products. Of these, which letter indicates a structure made
of steel?
PART B. PATH OF THE HEAT
7. Where does nuclear fission take place?
8. Where is water changed from liquid to steam?
9. Where does waste heat leave the nuclear power plant?
10. Where does steam turn to liquid water?
PART C. ENERGY CONVERSIONS
11. Where is mass converted to energy (E=mc2)?
12. Where is heat converted to mechanical energy?
13. Where is mechanical energy converted to electricity?
PART D. NUCLEAR REACTIONS
14. Where is the uranium (or plutonium)?
15. What material is used as a moderator, to slow down the neutrons?
16. What material is used to transfer heat?
17. Where is the location where most of the fission products collect?
Analysis and Conclusions
1. List and briefly describe the (5) main components of a nuclear power plant.
2. Fission reactions yield heat energy as well as nuclear waste. What happens to the nuclear waste after the nuclear fuel has
been used?
3. What is a nuclear meltdown? Explain why a meltdown might occur inside a nuclear reactor and how nuclear
reactors are designed to prevent meltdowns.
4. Read ‘Nuclear Fission Reactors’ on page 251 in your Integrated Science Book. Summarize the major advantages and
disadvantages of using nuclear fuel as a source of energy to generate electricity.