Nuclear reaction

•Chain reaction occurs when a Uranium atom splits

•Different reactions

–Atomic Bomb in a split second

–Nuclear Power Reactor more controlled, cannot explode like a bomb

History of nuclear power

1938– Scientists study Uranium nucleus 1941 – Manhattan Project begins

1942 – Controlled nuclear chain reaction

1945 – U.S. uses two atomic bombs on Japan

1949 – Soviets develop atomic bomb

1952 – U.S. tests hydrogen bomb

1955 – First U.S. nuclear submarine

“Atoms for Peace”

Program to justify nuclear technology

Proposals for power, canal-building, exports

First commercial power plant, Illinois 1960

Economic advantages

•The energy in one pound of highly enriched Uranium is comparable to that of one million gallons of gasoline.

•One million times as much energy in one pound of Uranium as in one pound of coal.

Emissions Free

•Nuclear energy annually prevents

–5.1 million tons of sulfur

–2.4 million tons of nitrogen oxide

–164 metric tons of carbon

•Nuclear often pitted against fossil fuels

–Some coal contains radioactivity

–Nuclear plants have released low-level radiation

Early knowledge of risks

• 1964 Atomic Energy Commission report on possible reactor accident

–45,000 dead

–100,000 injured

–$17 billion in damages

–Area the size of Pennsylvania contaminated

States with nuclear power plant(s)

Nuclear power around the globe

•17% of world’s electricity from nuclear power

–U.S. about 20% (2nd largest source)

•431 nuclear plants in 31 countries

–103 of them in the U.S.

–Built none since 1970s (Wisconsin as leader).

–U.S. firms have exported nukes.

–Push from Bush/Cheney for new nukes.

Countries Generating Most Nuclear Power