In 1939, scientists discovered that certain atoms could be split. The splitting of these atoms releases a great amount of energy.
Question 2
2.
Ninety-nine nuclear power reactors at 61 plants operate in the U.S. (As of 2017)
Question 3
3.
Nuclear plants provide 19.4 percent of the electricity generated in the U.S. (as of 2017)
Question 4
4.
A nuclear reactor can supply a large amount of energy using a very small amount of fuel.
Question 5
5.
The construction of nuclear power plants is very expensive compared to fossil fuel plants.
Question 6
6.
Nuclear reactors do not burn uranium or fuel to generate electrical power. They split the uranium atoms—so their emissions are minimal.
Question 7
7.
Uranium is easy to transport.
Question 8
8.
Uranium is inexpensive.
Question 9
9.
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.
Question 10
10.
Nuclear power plants produce electricity by heating water into steam in the same way as fossil fuel plants.
Question 11
11.
Workers at nuclear power plants receive less radiation from the plant than they do from other sources like medical x-rays.
Question 12
12.
Some parts of reactors become radioactive after they have been used.
Question 13
13.
Radioactive waste from nuclear power plants is stored underground in spent fuel pools or dry cask containers at the plant sites.
Question 14
14.
Uranium is a nonrenewable energy source.
Question 15
15.
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.
Question 16
16.
The main health risk from a nuclear power plant is potential radiation exposure.
Question 17
17.
Nuclear power plants in the U.S. are highly regulated.
Question 18
18.
An accident at a nuclear power plant could cause widespread damage if people or the environment were exposed to high levels of radioactivity.
Question 19
19.
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.
Nuclear energy makes air pollution.
Question 24
24.
Nuclear energy makes water thermal pollution.
Question 25
25.
Nuclear energy requires the process nuclear ________.