Resources: Class presentation and handout.
Handout: Key information on nuclear fission, control and moderators. Key questions to explore the fuel used in reactors and why nuclear fuel is a low carbon resource compared to wind power. Students can summarise the energy transfers used to generate electricity in a nuclear power station and recall and summarise the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy resources.
Why do we feel the thermal energy from the sun from 60 million miles away? Lead a discussion about the thermal energy production in the sun. Discuss the difference between fission and fusion.
Watch the film by Lewis Matheson of Physics Online which explains how a nuclear power station generates electricity. Ask the students to make notes whilst watching the video. Use the handout to reinforce learning from the lesson. Answer the questions on page 2. Research the advantages and disadvantages of the various energy resources on page 3 and record them on that page. Divide the students into small groups to feedback their research. What are their conclusions as to the reliability, safety and cost of each resource against the amount of energy generated?
Ask the students to go onto Google and find their nearest nuclear power station. Ask them to write a short report about that station; when was it commissioned and how much energy does it generate? Ask them to practice writing full and descriptive written answers to questions – read the question and check what information the question is asking for.
Discuss the need to generate more nuclear power to be able to meet the domestic demand for electrical energy. Go online and research SMR nuclear generation.
Career Film: This is Dr. Mike Edmondson. Mike works as the Senior Technical Lead for National Nuclear Laboratory.
Expert Film: This is Daniel Shepherd, who works as a Nuclear Fuel Engineer for National Nuclear Laboratory. Daniel explains how nuclear can be used to solve the world's biggest challenges!
Watch the film by Lewis Matheson of Physics Online which explains how a nuclear power station generates electricity. Ask the students to make notes whilst watching the video. Research the advantages and disadvantages of the various energy resources.
Challenge Task: There is a great need to generate more energy. Nuclear power is one way to meet the domestic demand for electrical energy. Ask the students to go online and research SMR nuclear generation. What is it? How could it be useful? What are the potential problems?
Use the summative quiz to assess students' learning. Ask them to imagine they are talking to a friend or family member who is unsure about nuclear energy being used to generate electricity. What would you say to them to explain why it is important? Do you think we should use more nuclear power stations to generate electricity? Can you explain your answer? How do you think we should generate the electricity we need in this country? What mix of resources should we use?