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Nuclear Energy Explained: How Does It Work?

Provided by: Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos

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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.

Subjects: Physics, History, Engineering

Authors: Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell

Region: Global

Languages: English

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.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.