Nuclear Technology
                     NUCLEAR 
TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
▪ Nuclear technology is technology that involves 
the nuclear reactions of atomic nuclei. 
▪ Among the notable nuclear technologies are 
nuclear reactors, nuclear medicine and nuclear 
weapons. It is also used, among other things, in 
smoke detectors and gun sights.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
NUCLEAR FISSION 
▪ In nuclear fission the nucleus of an atom, such as 
that of uranium or plutonium. breaks up into two 
lighter nuclei of roughly equal mass. 
▪ The process may take place spontaneously in 
some cases or may be induced by the excitation 
of the nucleus with a variety of particles or with 
electromagnetic radiation in the form of gamma 
rays.
Source: www.britannica.com
How does a nuclear power plant 
work?
▪ Inside nuclear power plants, nuclear reactors and 
their equipment contain and control the chain 
reactions, most commonly fuelled by uranium-
235, to produce heat through fission. 
Source: www.britannica.com
Mining, enrichment and disposal of 
uranium
▪ Uranium is a metal that can be found in rocks all 
over the world. Uranium has several naturally 
occurring isotopes, which are forms of an element 
differing in mass and physical properties but with 
the same chemical properties.
Source: www.iaea.org
Nuclear waste
▪ The operation of nuclear power plants produces 
waste with varying levels of radioactivity. 
▪ These are managed differently depending on their 
level of radioactivity and purpose. See the 
animation below to learn more about this topic.
Source: www.iaea.org
Nuclear power and climate change
▪ Nuclear power is a low-carbon source of energy, 
because unlike coal, oil or gas power plants, 
nuclear power plants practically do not produce 
CO2 during their operation. 
▪ Nuclear reactors generate close to one-third of 
the world’s carbon free electricity and are crucial 
in meeting climate change goals.
Source: www.iaea.org
Uses of Nuclear 
Technology
Agriculture
▪ The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of 
the United Nations (UN) estimates that about 795 
million people (one in nine) were suffering from 
chronic undernourishment in 2014-16. 
▪ Radioisotopes and radiation used in food and 
agriculture are helping to reduce these figures.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Consumer products
▪ The function of many common consumer products 
is dependent on the use of small amounts of 
radioactive material. 
▪ Smoke detectors, watches & clocks, and non-stick 
materials, among others, all utilise the natural 
properties of radioisotopes in their design.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Transport
▪ Nuclear power is particularly suitable for vessels 
which need to be at sea for long periods without 
refueling, or for powerful submarine propulsion.
Source: en.wikipedia.org