APES Ch 20 Flashcards
Explain why nuclear power is considered both an alternative and non-renewable form of energy.
Nuclear power uses radioactive fuel, which is not renewable.
It is an alternative source because it does not harm the environment or pollute (No Fossil Fuel).
List and explain two specific environmental arguments in favor of nuclear energy.
It’s a clean energy source (zero emission)
One of the smallest carbon footprints
List and explain two specific environmental arguments against nuclear energy.
The generation of radioactive waste (ex. Uranium mill tailings)
Radiation can enter environment
Through nuclear fuel cycle
Explain the difference between fusion and fission.
Fission: When we take really big/heavy nuclei and break it into pieces, releasing heat energy
Fusion: Combine small/light nuclei, releasing heat energy
Explain how uranium is enriched and why this step is important.
Separating isotopes of Uranium with a laser
Important to create nuclear fuel
Why aren’t we using fusion as an energy source in the United States right now?
The technology is not effective at the moment—You need a lot of energy to start the reaction and it is difficult for us the control the reaction once it starts
What is the difference between the Uranium that is used in a nuclear reactor for electricity and the Uranium that is used in a nuclear weapon? (Nuclear reactor vs weapon)
Nuclear reactor - energy generated over a long period of time
Nuclear bomb - all energy comes out in an instant
In terms of concentration of radioactive isotopes, which food is safer, tuna or sardines? Explain.
Sardines - they are smaller
Smaller fish = less radioactive
Explain the nuclear life-cycle and give at least two specific environmental impacts.
Life Cycle
Mine and process Uranium
Reprocess spent fuel
Decommission power plants
Radioactive waste disposed
Environmental Impacts
Radioactive waste enter environment
spent/used pools of fuel are radioactive & can generate heat for decades
There was a common design flaw in all the nuclear power plants that have had accidents; Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima. What was that design flaw? How could we remedy the problem
The design flaw was the coolant was not able to cool down the heat. Allowing it to get really hot and melt everything around it. This is why it is called a meltdown. To remedy it, we use a gravity pump.
Explain how we deal with low-level radioactive waste. What is the source of low level radioactive waste?
Stored onsite by licensees: either until it has decayed away and can be disposed of as ordinary trash, or until the accumulated amount becomes large enough to warrant shipment to a low-level waste disposal site.
Source: Contaminated equipment from the operation of nuclear power plants
Explain how we deal with transuranic radioactive waste. What is the source of transuranic radioactive waste?
Deep geological disposal→ Put waste in rocks =isolating radioactive waste
Source: nuclear fuel assembly, nuclear weapons research and production, and during the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel
Explain we deal with high-level radioactive waste. What is the source of high-level radioactive waste?
stored for 10 or 20 years in spent fuel pools, →then placed in dry cask storage facilities.
Source: uranium fuel
Why is it necessary to store nuclear waste in vats of water and under armed guard?
Someone might make a dirty bomb out of the waste.
The used cores are still hot and radioactive
Discuss advantages and disadvantages of using a breeder reactor as a source for electricity.
Pro: Creates 30% more fuel than it consumes
Produces much more energy than traditional coal power plants
Use the uranium waste from uranium processing plants
Expenses for mining, and processing of uranium ore are minimized.
Cons: Risky
Plutonium, if inhaled = maybe Lung cancer
Expensive: $4 to $8 billion is required in the construction alone
