Chapter Questions
Describe the impacts of the earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on March 11, 2011, on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants, and on the Japanese people.
Compare the outlook regarding the use of nuclear power in the United States and globally in each of the following time periods: 1960 s, 1980 s, and early 21 st century.
Describe how energy is produced in a nuclear reaction. Distinguish between fission and fusion.
How do nuclear reactors and nuclear power plants generate electrical power?
What are radioactive emissions, and how are most humans exposed to them?
How are radioactive wastes produced, and what are the associated hazards?
Describe the current practices for dealing with spent fuel rods.
What problems are associated with the long-term containment of nuclear waste? What is the current status of the disposal situation?
Describe what went wrong at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima.
What features might make nuclear power plants safer?
What are the four generations of nuclear reactors? Describe the advantages of Generations III and IV.
Discuss economic reasons that have caused many utilities to opt for coal-burning plants rather than nuclear-powered plants.
How do fast-neutron and fusion reactors work? Does either one offer promise for alleviating our energy shortage?
Explain why nuclear power does little to address our largest energy shortfall.
Discuss changes in nuclear power that might brighten its future.