This course aims to provide an understanding of nuclear energy, covering topics such as the science behind nuclear energy, how a reactor works, waste management, health effects of radiation, regulation, future developments, and sustainability. By the end of the course, learners will be able to explain the motivation for nuclear energy, understand the science behind it, describe how reactors function, discuss waste management practices, analyze health effects of radiation, evaluate regulatory frameworks, explore future developments, and assess the sustainability of nuclear energy. The course teaches skills such as scientific notation, significant figures, units of energy and power conversions, and knowledge about atoms, elements, radioactivity, uranium, and nuclear fuels. The teaching method includes online learning modules. This course is intended for individuals interested in gaining a comprehensive overview of nuclear energy, including its science, technology, environmental impact, and regulatory aspects.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- Online learning
- 1 The motivation for nuclear energy
- 1 The motivation for nuclear energy
- 1.1 Generating electricity
- 1.1.1 Solar energy
- 1.1.2 Nuclear power
- 1.1.3 A longer term vision
- 1.2 Introducing the issues
- 1.3 Scientific notation and significant figures
- 1.4 Units of energy and power and their conversions
- 2 The science behind nuclear energy
- 2 The science behind nuclear energy
- 2.1 Atoms and elements
- 2.1.1 Electrons, protons, neutrons and isotopes
- 2.2 Radioactivity
- 2.3 Uranium
- 2.4 Energy from nuclei
- 3 How a reactor works
- 3 How a reactor works
- 3.1 A comparison to a conventional power plant
- 3.2 Fission and the chain reaction
- 3.3 Criticality
- 3.4 Controlling the fission chain reaction
- 3.5 Fissile, fissionable and fertile
- 3.6 Moderation
- 3.7 Specific nuclear fuels
- 3.8 Enrichment
- 3.9 Fast or thermal?
- 3.10 The activity of spent nuclear fuel
- 4 Waste management
- 4 Waste management
- 4.1 Underground waste disposal
- 4.2 Decommissioning
- 4.2.1 Decommissioning in the UK
- 5Â Health effects of radiation
- 5.1 How radiation interacts with living cells
- 5.2 How does a low radiation dose cause cancer?
- 5.3 High dose radiation
- 5.4 Acute radiation syndrome (ARS)
- 6Â Regulation
- 6.1 Why is legislation important?
- 6.2 The Nuclear Installations Act
- 6.3 Regulatory bodies
- 7 Future developments
- 7 Future developments
- 7.1 Thorium: an alternative fuel cycle
- 7.2 Nuclear fusion
- 8Â Sustainability
- 9 Where next?
- 9 Where next?
- Conclusion
- References
- Acknowledgements
