The US Navy came to speak with our junior physics students about how the Navy uses nuclear power in submarines and aircraft carriers. During this fascinating talk, Petty Officer First Class Jacob Huston explained his role on the submarine to maintain and operate the nuclear reactors. He went into a detailed explanation of nuclear fission using Uranium-235. He explained how nuclear power plants can generate thermal energy to boil water, turn a turbine, and power a generator. Further, he explained the binding energy needed for Uranium to undergo fission in comparison to the binding energy for Hydrogen atoms to be combined in fusion reactions. The students asked wonderful questions about the physics behind the technology as well as learning about potential career pathways through the Navy.
