The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident is a topic of current media and public interest. It provides a means to motivate students to understand the fission process and the barriers that have been designed to prevent the release of fission products to the environment following a major nuclear power reactor accident. The Fukushima Daiichi accident further encourages a discussion of the effect of fission products upon the environment, including the resulting contamination of air, water, soil, animals, fish, milk, and crops. Accident-generated radiation levels that caused the evacuation of people 20–30 km from the facility further serve to foster student interest and desire to understand the science associated with the Fukushima Daiichi accident.

Topics
Earthquakes, Nuclear fission, Nuclear energy, Radioactive decay, Nuclear power plant, Reactor pressure vessel, Education, Diseases and conditions, Food, Public and occupational health and safety
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© 2012 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2012
American Association of Physics Teachers
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