Introduction

Nuclear Power

Have you every heard of a nuclear power plant or a nuclear reactor? Maybe you've heard someone discuss nuclear power as a source of electricity? Nuclear power generation and how it compares to other types of power generation such as burning coal has become a very interesting topic in our world today.

nuclear power warning sign



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Nuclear Reactions

In this unit, you will be learning about nuclear chemical reactions, how they can be used to produce power, and then forming arguments for and against the use of nuclear power generation.

nuclear power plant

Before you get started, it's important to understand some of the basic aspects of nuclear chemistry and specifically nuclear chemical reaction and the types of radioactive decay. That's where this lesson begins.



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Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Define radioactivity and radioactive decay
  • Recognize the types of radioactive decay and their properties

Enduring Understandings

  • Chemical reactions occur constantly all around us.
  • Nuclear reactions occur when changes happen in the nucleus of an atom.
  • Nuclear reactions and nuclear power are important in everyday uses but can also pose many risks to people.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Physical Science standards: 6.

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