Nuclear energy

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/nuclear-energy

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is Nuclear energy known for?Nuclear power provides a significant portion of the world's low-carbon electricity
2. What is the primary operational process?Controlled nuclear fission of heavy elements like Uranium-235
3. What is nuclear energy and how does it work?Nuclear energy comes from the forces that hold atoms together. By splitting heavy atoms (fission) or joining light atoms (fusion), we can release huge amounts of energy.
4. How do nuclear power plants make electricity?Nuclear power plants split uranium atoms in a controlled way. The energy released is used to produce electricity.

Nuclear Binding Energy: The energy holding atomic nuclei together; its release powers nuclear reactions.
Nuclear Fission: The controlled splitting of heavy atomic nuclei to release energy and neutrons.
Nuclear Fusion: The merging of light atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei, releasing substantial energy.
Chain Reaction: A self-sustaining sequence of nuclear fissions, where products of one fission trigger subsequent fissions.