Nuclear Energy Explained: How Does It Work?
Provided by: Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell|Published on: April 27, 2021
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Physics, History, Engineering
Authors: Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell
Region: Global
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video traces the history of nuclear energy and the eventual rise in popularity of light-water reactors.
- A brief and simple explanation of nuclear fission shows how the process is used to heat water and drive turbines in light water reactors.
- Students will be introduced to the risks and benefits of nuclear energy.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The historical background presented in the video will help students understand how and why nuclear energy rose in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s and why it is less popular today.
- The video description offers links to additional videos on the pros and cons of nuclear energy.
Prerequisites
- There is an advertisement at the beginning of the video.
- At 2:17 a cartoon bird offers more information if you click on it, but the link does not work.
Differentiation & Implementation
- History classes can use this video to discuss the sequence of historical events (the use of the atomic bomb in WW2, the Atomic Age, the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the Three Mile Island accident, the Chernobyl disaster, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster) that are mentioned in the video.
- Science classes can research different types of nuclear reactors and investigate the pros and cons for each design.
- Chemistry classes can discuss why uranium is the most common fuel used in the nuclear power plants.
- Ecology students can discuss the need for clean energy and the possible environmental impacts of nuclear power compared to other sources.
- Other resources on this topic include Share of Electricity Production from Nuclear, Nuclear Power Generation, Why Nuclear Plants Are Shutting Down, and Why It Matters: The Climate for Nuclear Energy.
This video presents a simplified version of how nuclear energy produces electricity without going into details regarding the pros or cons. Though this video is 6 years old, the figures presented are still correct, with only four new nuclear energy plants having come online since the release of the video. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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