Because of the discovery of which substance, mankind has obtained the key to open nuclear energy? How does a nuclear fusion reaction occur? What is the third-generation nuclear power technology with independent intellectual property rights in China? What does Yutu-2 rely on to provide energy on the far side of the moon? ......These issues are all related to the use of nuclear energy and nuclear safety.
Nuclear energy, or atomic energy, refers to the energy released from the nucleus of an atom through a nuclear reaction. Nuclear energy can be released through one of three nuclear reactions: one is nuclear fission, in which the heavier nuclei release energy. The second is nuclear fusion, in which the lighter nuclei of atoms fuse together to release energy. The third is nuclear decay, in which energy is released during the spontaneous decay of atomic nuclei. Compared with other energy sources, nuclear energy has tremendous power and high energy density, and if it can be scientifically and effectively developed and utilized, it can provide huge energy for human beings.
The active ingredient in the nuclear fuel used in nuclear power plants is uranium-235, and if the nuclei of 1 kilogram of uranium-235 can be completely fragmented (nuclear fission), it can release energy equivalent to the complete combustion of 2,700 tons of standard coal. History has proved that nuclear power is an efficient, clean, safe and economical energy source, with many advantages such as low resource consumption, low environmental impact and strong capacity. According to the World Nuclear Power Reactors (2023 Edition) report released by the International Atomic Energy Agency, as of December 31, 2022, a total of 411 nuclear power units were in operation in 32 countries around the world, with an installed capacity of 3710gw。According to a report released by the International Energy Agency**, global nuclear power generation is expected to reach an all-time high by 2025, as nuclear power generation climbs in France, several nuclear power plants in Japan resume operation, and new reactors in markets such as India, South Korea and Europe are also put into commercial operation.
For China, vigorously developing nuclear energy can not only effectively ensure energy security, but also help promote the realization of the "double carbon" goal. In order to improve the public's understanding of nuclear energy, understand the knowledge related to nuclear energy and nuclear safety, and help establish the concept of green development, the 2023 Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Citizen Science Quality Competition launched a special quiz activity of "Developing Nuclear Energy and Promoting the Realization of the 'Double Carbon' Goal".
By answering the questions, the public will learn a lot of scientific knowledge about nuclear energy and nuclear safety, including the basic principles of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission, China's advanced third- and fourth-generation nuclear power technology, the classification of nuclear accidents, the role of nuclear energy in reducing carbon emissions, nuclear energy heating, and the safety barrier design of China's nuclear power plants.
This special quiz activity aims to disseminate the knowledge of nuclear energy utilization and nuclear safety, and at the same time further enhance the public's awareness of environmental protection and help the public establish the concept of green development, which has been strongly supported by China National Nuclear Power Engineering Corporation China Nuclear Power Engineering China Telecom Group Science and Technology Association, China Telecom Museum, China Mobile Communications Group Science and Technology Association, China United Network Communications Group Science and Technology Association, and Beijing Gehua Cable TV Network Co., Ltd.
Background] Nuclear energy is a great discovery in human history, which is essentially a major product of scientific and technological progress, and a major breakthrough in the evolution of human civilization. As early as the end of the 19th century, the British physicist Thomson discovered the electron, and human society began to gradually unravel the mystery of the atomic nucleus. In 1938, when the German scientist Otto Hahn bombarded uranium nuclei with a slow neutron, an unusual situation unexpectedly occurred, not only was the reaction rapid and intense, releasing high energy, but also the uranium nucleus ** became some much smaller atomic number, lighter material components, which was the discovery of nuclear fission.
On December 2, 1942, the University of Chicago successfully launched the world's first nuclear reactor, the Chicago No. 1 reactor, which successfully produced a controllable uranium nuclear fission chain reaction, thus opening the era of human atomic energy. In 1954, the Soviet Union built the world's first nuclear power plant, the Obrinsk Nuclear Power Plant, marking the official entry of nuclear power into the commercial stage.
Up to now, nuclear power, together with hydropower and coal power, constitute the three main world's electric power, and have an important position in the world's energy structure. Among them, in France, nuclear power accounts for nearly 70% of the country's total power generation, and in China it has reached about 5%. At present, around the world, countries around the world are facing multiple constraints such as climate change and energy security, and the development and utilization of nuclear energy has become an inevitable choice for many countries to cope with climate change, accelerate energy transition, and achieve low-carbon economic development.
The 2023 Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Citizen Science Quality Competition will set up different modes such as daily answers, time-limited challenge answers, PK answers, and special answers, which can allow the public to use the "small screen" to improve scientific literacy in fragmented time.
At the same time, the competition will also cooperate with relevant units to carry out special answers on different themes from different perspectives such as interpretation of national strategies, cutting-edge science and technology, social hotspots, scientific (family) spirit, emergency science popularization, and scientific refutation of rumors.