Splitting The Atom: Fission

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Splitting The Atom Fission

• Energy that is released by fission or fusion is
  called NUCLEAR ENERGY.
• Fission-When the nuclei of radioactive atoms are
  split into 2 or more smaller nuclei.
• Large amounts of energy are released.
• Can be used to generate electrical energy.

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Pros and Cons of Fission

• Pros
• Do not have the problems that fossil fuels do.
• Cons
• They produce dangerous radioactive waste which
  must be stored until their radioactivity
  decreases which may take thousands of years.
• Accidental release of radiation into the
  environment. Ex.-If the plant overheats and the
  reactors melt.

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Combing Atoms Fusion

• Fusion- Joining of 2 or more nuclei to form a
  larger nucleus.
• Produces a lot of energy. Happens naturally in
  the sun.
• Pros produces few dangerous wastes.
• Cons Very high temps needed for the rxn. to take
  place.
• The rxn. must take place in a special environment
  such as a magnetic field.

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Chemical Energy

• Generated by fuel cells.
• These convert chemical energy into electrical
  energy by reacting hydrogen and oxygen into
  water.
• Pros Do not produce pollution. The only
  byproduct is water.
• More efficient than internal combustion engines.
• Cons No cons at the present time.

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Solar Energy

• The energy received by the Earth from the sun.
• We constantly receive energy from the sun-a
  renewable resource
• Can be used to heat buildings and generate
  electrical energy.
• But we do not have the technology to generate the
  amount of electrical energy that we need.
• Can be changed into electrical energy with solar
  cells. Solar panels are many solar cells wired
  together.

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Solar Energy

• Solar panels provide some of the electrical
  energy needed.
• Solar energy can also be collected for direct
  heating.
• Solar collectors- dark-colored boxes that have
  glass or plastic tops. Ex.- heating water
• Pros Doesnt produce pollution and its
  renewable.
• Cons Some climates dont have enough sunny days
  solar cells and collectors are expensive.

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Wind Power

• Made indirectly by solar energy through the
  uneven heating of air, which causes wind
  currents.
• It is the use of a windmill to drive an electric
  generator.
• Pros renewable and doesnt cause pollution
• Cons In many areas the wind isnt strong or
  frequent enough to create energy on a large scale

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Hydroelectric Energy

• Uses falling water through the use of water
  wheels.
• Used to generate electrical energy
• Pros inexpensive and causes little pollution
  (after dam is built), renewable.
• Cons not available everywhere, can only be
  produced where there are large volumes of falling
  water.
• Huge dams must be built on major rivers to get
  enough energy.
• Disrupts the path for fish, decreases H2O quality
  and creates erosion problems

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Power From Plants

• Leaves, wood, other parts of plants and even dung
  from plant eating animals contain stored energy.
• Called BIOMASS- organic matter that can be a
  source of energy.
• Can be released several ways
• Burning
• Can be changed into liquid fuel
• Plants with starch and sugar can be made into
  alcohol
• Alcohol can be mixed with gasoline to make a fuel
  called GASOHOL.
• Pros Renewable
• Cons It would take A LOT of plant material to
  provide us with fuel.

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Geothermal Energy

• It is energy produced by the heat within the
  Earth.
• Groundwater is heated by magma
• Geysers are natural vents that let out steam or
  water.
• Wells can be drilled for steam and water to
  escape.
• Geothermal plants can harness this energy by
  pumping the steam and hot water.
• It then produces electrical energy.