The science of nuclear energy

Discover the science behind nuclear energy and its role in energy provision in the past, present and future.TranscriptWith the need to reduce carbon emissions around the world, the way we generate our power has to change and nuclear energy is back on the political agenda. But do you know your fission from your fusion? Would you like the knowledge to make an informed decision?The question of whether we should get electricity from nuclear power remains a tough one for governments all over the world. While it offers a sustainable, low carbon and secure way of meeting our energy needs, big questions surround the economic viability, the perceived dangers and the public acceptability associated with power plant operations and radioactive wastes. Nuclear power stations currently generate around 18 per cent of the UK's electricity production. The majority of the current reactors are scheduled to be decommissioned by 2023 and we could be facing an energy 'gap'. This free course, The science of nuclear energy, will delve into the science behind nuclear power and explain what happens inside a nuclear reactor and what it means for an element to be radioactive. It will explore some of the risks of producing nuclear power and examine the arguments for and against including it in future energy planning as well as looking at other potential future solutions.The course does not assume any prior knowledge of nuclear energy and can be enjoyed by anyone interested in science and becoming more informed of energy choices.This course is also available to study on FutureLearn, where you have the opportunity to purchase a FutureLearn certificate on completion. This OpenLearn science course is produced with the kind support of Dangoor Education, the educational arm of The Exilarch's Foundation.

• Week1Week 1: Into the atom
• Introduction
• 1.1 The structure of atoms
• 1.1.1 Isotopes
• 1.1.2 Common isotopes
• 1.1.3 Structure of atoms
• 1.1.4 The nature of the nucleus
• 1.2 Radioactive atoms
• 1.2.1 Radioactivity
• 1.2.2 Alpha, beta and gamma radiation
• 1.2.3 Doses of radiation
• 1.2.4 Precise doses of radiation
• 1.2.5 Some uses of radioactivity
• 1.2.6 Myths of radiation
• 1.2.7 Ideas about radioactivity
• 1.3 Nuclear processes
• 1.3.1 Uranium
• 1.3.2 Isotope trumps!
• 1.3.3 What is fission?
• 1.3.4 The chain reaction
• 1.3.5 Energy from fission
• 1.3.6 The early days of fission
• 1.4 Quiz for Week 1
• 1.5 Summary of Week 1
• Further reading
• Acknowledgements
• Week2Week 2: Using nuclear energy
• Introduction
• 2.1 Energy and power
• 2.1.1 What uses most energy in the home?
• 2.1.2 Human power station
• 2.1.3 Generating electricity
• 2.1.4 Energy sources
• 2.1.5 Running the National Grid
• 2.1.6 The National Grid
• 2.1.7 Peak output
• 2.2 Components of a nuclear power station
• 2.2.1 Looking inside a nuclear reactor
• 2.2.2 Inside a nuclear reactor
• 2.2.3 Types of nuclear reactor
• 2.2.4 The world’s nuclear power stations
• 2.3 Waste produced by nuclear power
• 2.3.1 Half-life
• 2.3.2 Types of radioactive waste
• 2.3.3 Decommissioning at Dounreay
• 2.3.4 What can be done with nuclear waste?
• 2.3.5 Solution: reuse
• 2.3.6 Solution: transmutation
• 2.3.7 Solution: deep geological repository
• 2.3.8 Case study: Yucca mountain
• 2.4 Quiz for Week 2
• 2.5 Summary of Week 2
• References
• Acknowledgements
• Week3Week 3: Is nuclear power safe?
• Introduction
• 3.1 Atomic men!
• 3.1.1 What can go wrong in a nuclear power station?
• 3.1.2 Accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl
• 3.1.3 Errors
• 3.1.4 Clean-up at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl
• 3.2 The Fukushima Daiichi reactor
• 3.2.1 What caused the meltdown at Fukushima?
• 3.2.2 Hydrogen explosions demonstration
• 3.2.3 Inside the Daiichi power plant
• 3.2.4 Exclusion zone
• 3.2.5 Clean-up of Iitate
• 3.2.6 Fukushima level 7
• 3.2.7 Fukushima – six months later
• 3.3 Fukushima – water issues
• 3.3.1 Fukushima – ongoing challenges
• 3.3.2 Fukushima – health effects three years later
• 3.3.3 Chernobyl today – the reactor
• 3.3.4 Chernobyl today – exclusion zone
• 3.3.5 Chernobyl today – health effects
• 3.3.6 What have we learned?
• 3.4 Quiz for Week 3
• 3.5 Summary of Week 3
• References
• Further reading
• Acknowledgements
• Week4Week 4: A future for nuclear power?
• Introduction
• 4.1 Energy for the future or relic of the past?
• 4.1.1 Carbon emissions and global warming
• 4.1.2 Find your carbon footprint
• 4.1.3 The energy gap
• 4.1.4 The role of nuclear energy
• 4.1.5 New reactor at Hinkley C
• 4.1.6 Nuclear waste
• 4.1.7 Happy with Hinkley?
• 4.2 Thorium – nuclear fuel of the future?
• 4.2.1 The Sun’s energy source
• 4.2.2 What is nuclear fusion?
• 4.2.3 Making use of fusion
• 4.2.4 Challenges of fusing nuclei
• 4.2.5 Fusion
• 4.2.6 Fusion at JET and ITER
• 4.2.7 The National Ignition Facility
• 4.3 Nuclear energy debate
• 4.3.1 What are your views on nuclear power?
• 4.4 End-of-course quiz
• 4.5 Summary of Week 4
• References
• Further reading
• Acknowledgements