There has been renewed interest in nuclear power in the U.S. in the last few years as concern over global climate change has increased.
Question 20
20.
What are 3 ADVANTAGES of nuclear energy?
Question 21
21.
What are 3 DISADVANTAGES of nuclear energy?
Question 22
22.
The radioactive element that we dig out of the ground to split its nucleus for nuclear energy is called _________.
Question 23
23.
Question 24
24.
Question 25
25.
In 1939, scientists discovered that certain atoms could be split. The splitting of these atoms releases a great amount of energy.
Advantage (pro)
Disadvantage (con)
Ninety-nine nuclear power reactors at 61 plants operate in the U.S. (As of 2017)
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Nuclear plants provide 19.4 percent of the electricity generated in the U.S. (as of 2017)
fact
advantage
disadvantage
A nuclear reactor can supply a large amount of energy using a very small amount of fuel.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
The construction of nuclear power plants is very expensive compared to fossil fuel plants.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Nuclear reactors do not burn uranium or fuel to generate electrical power. They split the uranium atoms—so their emissions are minimal.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Uranium is easy to transport.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Uranium is inexpensive.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
The U.S. has abundant supplies of uranium. However, we import most of the uranium used in power plants because it is cheaper than mining it.
advantage
disadvantage
Nuclear power plants produce electricity by heating water into steam in the same way as fossil fuel plants.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Workers at nuclear power plants receive less radiation from the plant than they do from other sources like medical x-rays.
advantage
disadvantage
Some parts of reactors become radioactive after they have been used.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Radioactive waste from nuclear power plants is stored underground in spent fuel pools or dry cask containers at the plant sites.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Uranium is a nonrenewable energy source.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
A nuclear power plant produces a lot of waste heat. If this heat is put into a moving water system, the water temperature can increase and cause thermal pollution.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
The main health risk from a nuclear power plant is potential radiation exposure.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Nuclear power plants in the U.S. are highly regulated.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
An accident at a nuclear power plant could cause widespread damage if people or the environment were exposed to high levels of radioactivity.
fact
advantage
disadvantage
Nuclear energy makes air pollution.
T
F
Nuclear energy makes water thermal pollution.
T
F
Nuclear energy requires the process nuclear ________.
