Nuclear fission & nuclear fuels

Preparation and Planning

This lesson is complete and contains all material you will require in order to deliver it. If possible ensure that you have access to a laptop and projector.

However students will benefit most if they have previously acquainted themselves with the debate over further UK investment in nuclear power stations. These have been given the go-ahead by government but are hotly contested by numerous bodies and civilian groups. Encourage students to read the press or visit archive material online prior to the lesson, with a view to understanding the background to this debate. Alternatively, you could set a piece of research homework in the previous lesson.

A Nov 08 News Article, about the Planning Bill, highlights the accelerating Government focus on delivering renewable energy supplies. This could be shared with students to prompt their own research. An extension activity could ask students to track the development of nuclear power as a renewable source.

Three Student Worksheets are attached to this lesson and should be photocopied for distribution.

About the MOD Topic

Referring to themselves as working for the 'Silent Service', submariners must work closely together, relying on teamwork and a high level of skill during time on-board their ship working in close proximity. British 'Trafalgar' Class submarines take this competency one step further. Powered anaerobically through an on-board reactor, T-Class submarines can remain for 90 days without surfacing and reach unimaginable depths and speeds which in turn permit stealth operations and delivery of a range of maritime military tasks. These Royal Navy submarines contribute to peace and security by providing a conventional deterrent to anyone or any nation that may pose a threat to world stability. Their characteristics afford the T-Class an unparalleled freedom to operate world-wide, able to act independently or in support of a surface ship.

Arguably the most important role of the submarine, (T-Class has an unrivalled capability), is to seek out and destroy other submarines that may pose a threat to any friendly force and detect and attack surface forces. The 'Spearfish' torpedo can be used against other submarines or surface ships. This is used to great effect when the submarine is deployed in advance of friendly forces in order to reduce the flexibility of an opposition force by denying the use of an area or region.

The ability to approach close to the opposition's forces and monitor their operations and movements whilst remaining undetected is a classic capability of the submarine. This surveillance can include underwater photography, sometimes of surface warships, which will almost certainly be unaware of the submarine's presence.

Using modern video technology or digital photography a submarine is able to approach a coastline in shallow water and can make a significant contribution to the intelligence collection effort prior to any subsequent maritime or land action.

The Trafalgar submarine has recently been upgraded to carry new missiles and an improved version of the world-leading Sonar 2076 system, making the submarine the most powerful boat in fleet. For further information read News Article - Attack submarine returns to fleet.

To fulfil this vital and challenging role, submarines require huge amounts of energy to power the vessel for sustained periods of time. Nuclear power efficiently provides strong propulsion and because the nuclear generators do not need oxygen or regular refuelling, the submarine can remain submerged for lengthy periods. The only limitations to the time a nuclear submarine can spend underwater are food supply and crew's willingness to remain underwater for long periods.

The power is derived from nuclear fission which takes place inside a heavy shielded reactor compartment that completely protects the crew from radiation. Through nuclear fission, heat is produced from the reactor which generates steam to drive the main turbine engines.

From there, a system of clutches, gearing and propulsions transmits the power into movement of the submarine. Steam is also used to drive the turbo-generators that supply the submarine with electricity - efficiently powering other services such as lighting and heating.

With increasing attention being given to greenhouse gas emissions arising from burning fossil fuels for international air and marine transport and the excellent safety record of nuclear powered ships, it is quite conceivable that renewed attention will be given to marine nuclear propulsion.

Further Opportunities for Learning

Invite study of the history of nuclear fission, including the motives for the original research and early applications.

Students may wish to research the implications of the Chernobyl disaster in Russia in 1986 and to understand what was learned from this disaster.

The study of nuclear weapons is not part of this lesson. However, capable students may want to understand how the scientific principles studied apply in this instance. Students should review government policy on the nuclear deterrent and may wish to draw comparisons between the risks identified in the proliferation of nuclear plants and those associated with the development of weapons.

Students to review the news for updated reports on the conclusions from the Government's Strategic Siting Process for the new nuclear power stations.

Student worksheet answers

Download the teachers notes PDF to access the answers for this lesson.