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Performance Task

Radioactive!

  • Explore
  • Did You Know?

When a uranium atom absorbs an extra neutron inside the reactor, the atom becomes unstable and splits in a process called nuclear fission. Nuclear fission releases energy in the form of radiation and heat, which is ised to produce steam. The steam turns large turbines that drive generators to make electricity. Some of the steam is turned back into liquid water in a cooling tower and recycled back into the system.

Nuclear Growth

Nuclear Growth

Use a model to estimate when there were 300 operable nuclear reactors worldwide. Then use your model to approximate when there are 500 operable reactors.

Use the Internet to compare your estimates with actual data. Describe any significant differences. Explain what factors may have contributed to those differences.


Graph showing Number of Operable Nuclear Reactors Worldwide by Year. There were 15 in 1960, 48 in 1965, 84 in 1970, 169 in 1975, 245 in 1980, 363 in 1985, and 416 in 1990.

Did You Know?

  • The white cloud, or plume, seen coming from nuclear plants is simply water vapor being released from the plant's cooling towers.
  • Uranium is an abundant metal found in various countries around the world. Raw uranium must undergo four processing steps to become a usable nuclear fuel assembly.
    • Mining and milling
    • Conversion
    • Enrichment
    • Fuel fabrication
  • On average, a nuclear fuel assembly provides power for five years.
  • The radioactive byproducts from nuclear fuel must be cooled and stored in large containers made of steel-reinforced concrete.
  • Nuclear fuel is extremely dense. All the used nuclear fuel produced by the U.S. nuclear energy industry over the last 60 years could fit on a football field at a depth of less than 10 yards.

Find Out More — Search Topics

  • Nuclear reactors worldwide
  • Nuclear power plant
  • Nuclear fuel