Year 10 Science · Unit 2 · Lesson 27

Nuclear Energy, Benefits, Risks and Environmental Impacts

Foundation Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Learning Goals

Recall the key vocabulary used to describe nuclear energy and its impacts.
Sort statements about nuclear power into benefits and risks.
Describe how a nuclear power station works and why its waste is a problem.

Warm Up

Fill the gap

Choose the correct word from the word bank to complete each sentence. Two words will NOT be used.

fission steam uranium greenhouse half-life turbine renewable decommissioning tailings combustion

In a nuclear power station, the fuel is , which splits in a controlled reaction called nuclear . The heat released boils water into , which spins a connected to a generator. While operating, nuclear fission releases almost no gases. Mining the fuel can leave radioactive waste rock called . Some nuclear waste stays dangerous for thousands of years because of its long . At the end of its life, a reactor must be safely shut down and dismantled, a process called .

Your Turn

Sort it!

Write each statement from the pool into the correct box below. Each statement belongs to exactly one box.

Releases almost no greenhouse gases while operating Produces waste that stays dangerous for thousands of years Very high energy density, so little fuel is needed Small risk of a serious accident Provides reliable power day and night Uranium mining can disturb land and water A small volume of fuel lasts a long time High build cost and long construction time Low-carbon, which helps limit climate change Reactor must be safely decommissioned at the end Steady baseload power that does not depend on weather Warm cooling water can cause thermal pollution

Benefit of nuclear energy

Risk or environmental impact

Show What You Know

1. Describe in order how a nuclear power station turns nuclear fuel into electricity. Use the words fission, heat, steam, turbine and generator.

Recall 2 marks

2. Explain why high-level nuclear waste must be stored safely for thousands of years. Use the idea of half-life in your answer.

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, state one benefit and one environmental impact of nuclear energy.