Nuclear Fission

• This video from Cognito explains the basics of nuclear fission and presents the pros and cons to producing energy with nuclear reactors. 
• Students will learn about chain reactions and how they can be controlled within a nuclear reactor. 

Positives

• The slow pacing of this video will help students to grasp the material without feeling rushed.
• Simple illustrations make the video very easy to follow.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• This video begins with an advertisement.
• The video refers to "a nuclei" (0:10), which ought to be "a nucleus" since nuclei is the plural form of nucleus.
• Students should be familiar with the terms nuclei, neutron, and turbine.

Differentiation

• Physics classes could learn more about nuclear energy by listening to this podcast episode and watching this video.
• Social studies, economics, or science classes could use this resource from Our World in Data to see how nuclear energy usage compares to fossil fuels and renewable energy. As an extension, students could compare the three types of energy based on cost, ease of production, and impact on the environment.
• History classes could use this video to discuss the discovery of and subsequent uses for nuclear fission.
• Other resources on this topic include this video on nuclear fission and this interactive map that shows where in the world nuclear energy is being produced.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.