8.4+Non-fossil+fuel+power+production

IB Physics > Energy, Power and Climate Change =8.4 NON-FOSSIL FUEL POWER PRODUCTION= 8.4.1 Describe how neutrons produced in a fission reaction may be used to initiate further fission reactions (chain reaction). Students should know that only low-energy neutrons (≈ 1 eV) favour nuclear fission. They should also know about critical mass. media type="youtube" key="N7C14UIKuv8" width="560" height="315"
 * 8.1 Energy degradation and Power Generation || 8.2 World energy sources || 8.3 Fossil fuel power production || 8.4 Non-fossil fuel power production || 8.5 Greenhouse effect || 8.6 Global warming ||  ||   ||
 * Aim 7: ** Computer simulations may be shown modelling nuclear power stations and nuclear processes in general.
 * Nuclear power **

[|CHAIN REACTION APPLET]

8.4.2 Distinguish between controlled nuclear fission (power production) and uncontrolled nuclear fission (nuclear weapons). Students should be aware of the moral and ethical issues associated with nuclear weapons. 8.4.3 Describe what is meant by fuel enrichment. Here is how uranium is enriched: media type="youtube" key="OcgKDSwINOA" width="560" height="315" 8.4.4 Describe the main energy transformations that take place in a nuclear power station.

[|SIMULATION OF NUCLEAR FISSION REACTOR]
 * [[image:nothingnerdy/fission_control_rods.jpg width="171" height="156" caption="Control rods"]] || [[image:nothingnerdy/fission_moderator.jpg width="229" height="144" caption="the moderator slows down the neutrons"]] || [[image:nothingnerdy/fission_fuel.jpg width="256" height="146" caption="Fuel pellets are bundled"]] || [[image:nothingnerdy/fission_reactor_real.jpg width="186" height="156" caption="The core"]] ||
 * [[image:nothingnerdy/fission_control_rods.jpg width="171" height="156" caption="Control rods"]] || [[image:nothingnerdy/fission_moderator.jpg width="229" height="144" caption="the moderator slows down the neutrons"]] || [[image:nothingnerdy/fission_fuel.jpg width="256" height="146" caption="Fuel pellets are bundled"]] || [[image:nothingnerdy/fission_reactor_real.jpg width="186" height="156" caption="The core"]] ||



8.4.5 Discuss the role of the moderator and the control rods in the production of controlled fission in a thermal fission reactor. Only the first half of this video is about fission; the second half is about HEP. media type="youtube" key="LTnfXLws40Q" width="420" height="315"

8.4.6 Discuss the role of the heat exchanger in a fission reactor. 8.4.7 Describe how neutron capture by a nucleus of uranium-238 (238U) results in the production of a nucleus of plutonium-239 (239Pu). 8.4.8 Describe the importance of plutonium-239 (239Pu) as a nuclear fuel. It is sufficient for students to know that plutonium‑239 (239Pu) is used as a fuel in other types of reactors. 8.4.9 Discuss safety issues and risks associated with the production of nuclear power. Such issues involve: • the possibility of thermal meltdown and how it might arise • problems associated with nuclear waste • problems associated with the mining of uranium • the possibility that a nuclear power programme may be used as a means to produce nuclear weapons.

Hiroshima News Story (1945) media type="youtube" key="t19kvUiHvAE" width="560" height="315"

Nuclear test using a cannon (1953) media type="youtube" key="UTdy1Yp1h5A" width="560" height="315"

8.4.10 Outline the problems associated with producing nuclear power using nuclear fusion. It is sufficient that students appreciate the problem of maintaining and confining a high‑temperature, high-density plasma.

Nuclear Fusion described (2100) media type="youtube" key="GbzKFGnFWr0" width="560" height="315"

8.4.11 Solve problems on the production of nuclear power. Some more

[|REPORT ABOUT NUCLEAR MELTDOWN DURING AN EARTHQUAKE] (Japan, March 2011)

[|BBC VISITS FUKUSHIMA IN FEB 2012]

[|NUCLEAR ACCIDENT SIMULATION]

**Solar power** 8.4.12 Distinguish between a photovoltaic cell and a solar heating panel. Students should be able to describe the energy transfers involved and outline appropriate uses of these devices. 8.4.13 Outline reasons for seasonal and regional variations in the solar power incident per unit area of the Earth’s surface. 8.4.14 Solve problems involving specific applications of photovoltaic cells and solar heating panels. **Hydroelectric power** 8.4.15 Distinguish between different hydroelectric schemes. Students should know that the different schemes are based on: • water storage in lakes • tidal water storage • pump storage. 8.4.16 Describe the main energy transformations that take place in hydroelectric schemes. 8.4.17 Solve problems involving hydroelectric schemes. **Wind power** 8.4.18 Outline the basic features of a wind generator. A conventional horizontal-axis machine is sufficient. 8.4.19 Determine the power that may be delivered by a wind generator, assuming that the wind kinetic energy is completely converted into mechanical kinetic energy, and explain why this is impossible. 8.4.20 Solve problems involving wind power. **Wave power** 8.4.21 Describe the principle of operation of an oscillating water column (OWC) ocean-wave energy converter. Students should be aware that energy from a water wave can be extracted in a variety of different ways, but only a description of the OWC is required. 8.4.22 Determine the power per unit length of a wavefront, assuming a rectangular profile for the wave. 8.4.23 Solve problems involving wave power