Upper Sixth Physicists Explore Nuclear Energy at Sizewell B

Thirty Upper Sixth Physics students visited Sizewell B nuclear power station last week, gaining a first-hand insight into how the principles they study in the classroom are applied on a vast scale. The visit offered a unique opportunity to explore one of the UK’s most important energy facilities and meet the specialists who operate it.

Following time exploring the hands-on exhibits in the visitors’ centre, students attended a 45-minute briefing that focused on the design of the power station, its contribution to the National Grid and the safety procedures required during the visit.

Students then toured the site in small groups with specialist guides from Sizewell B. The tour covered the history of the site, including Sizewell A, the treatment and storage of nuclear waste, and the engineering and safety features that underpin the station’s operation.

The visit brought to life several areas of the A level Physics curriculum, from nuclear physics and rotational mechanics to electrical circuits. Having recently studied nuclear fission and the energy density of uranium, students were particularly struck by the scale of the facility and its ability to generate 1.2GW of power continuously for 18 months from a reactor core measuring just 3m x 3m x 4m.

For many students, the highlight of the day was the turbine hall, where enormous turbines spin at 3,000 revolutions per minute. Students were able to place their hands on the lower-pressure turbines, experiencing first-hand the remarkable speeds involved, with the turbine tips travelling faster than the speed of sound just centimetres away.

The tour also reinforced topics covered earlier in the course on electricity, with students learning how the generators produce electricity at 21,000V and 18,000A before it is transferred a short distance to step-up transformers for distribution across the National Grid.

Throughout the visit, students engaged enthusiastically with the guides, asking thoughtful questions about the science, engineering and operation of the station. Their interest and curiosity were praised by the Sizewell B team, who commended the group’s engagement throughout the day.