Nuclear Power

Question 1

What is used as the raw material for nuclear power

Answer 1

Uranium

Question 2

What are nuclear power plants

Answer 2

It is a type of power plant that uses the process of nuclear fission in order to generate electricity

Question 3

How do nuclear power plants work

Answer 3

They use a nuclear reactor in where the heat generated by the reactor converts water into steam, which spins a turbine and a generator

A water cooling system is used to cool water and is a huge heat exchanger, expelling building heat into the atmosphere and retuning colder water into the chiller

Question 4

Production of uranium in nuclear power plants

Answer 4

Uranium atoms undergo nuclear fission in the nuclear reactor. A large amount of heat is produced which boils the water to steam

The steam drives the turbines in the generator to produce electricity

Electricity is transmitted to users through power grids

Question 5

Advantages of using nuclear power (1)

Answer 5

Clean electricity

Nuclear power plants emit little carbon dioxide during the generation process (radioactive pollution in case of radioactive leakage)

Question 6

Advantages of using nuclear power (2)

Answer 6

Rich uranium reserves

Uranium is widely distributed throughout the world. The reserves are relatively abundant and it can sustain human consumption for at least 240 years

Australia 29%
Kazakhstan 12%
Russia 9%
Canada 8%
Niger 7%
Namibia 6%
South Africa 6%
Brazil 5%
USA 4%
China 3%

Question 7

Advantages of using nuclear power (3)

Answer 7

Stable supply of electricity

Uranium has a high energy output. Only a small amount can produce large amounts of energy. Also, the operation of nuclear power plants is not affected by weather conditions

Question 8

Advantages of using nuclear power (4)

Answer 8

Economic energy

The cost of uranium is not expensive.
This helps reduce the production costs of nuclear power. Consumers can enjoy an economic form of energy

Question 9

Disadvantages of using nuclear power (1)

Answer 9

Radiation pollution

Serious power plant accidents often release large amounts of radiation which will pollute air, soil and water resources. This is also harmful to human health such as increasing the risk of cancer. The impacts can be disastrous and long-lasting.

Question 10

Disadvantages of nuclear power (2)

Answer 10

Thermal pollution

The cooling water discharged from nuclear power plants is very hot and disturbs the animals and plants in the water bodies nearby

Question 11

Disadvantages of using nuclear power (3)

Answer 11

Greenhouse gas emissions

The development of nuclear power involves other process such as mining and transporting uranium, and power plant construction. These activities increase the enmissions of greenhouse gases

Question 12

Disadvantages of using nuclear power (4)

Answer 12

Difficulties in waste disposal

Nuclear waste remains radioactive for thousands of years. There are still no safe methods to dispose of the waste properly. At present, most nuclear waste is buried deep underground which poses threats to people and the environment

Question 13

Disadvantages of using nuclear power (5)

Answer 13

High costs

It is expensive to build a nuclear power plant which can only operate for 30 to 60 years. It also takes several years to decontaminate and shut down the power plant safely. The overall cost of nuclear power is very high

Question 14

Set requirement for nuclear power

Answer 14

A large piece of flatland
Geological stable areas (no faulting, build the plant on hard, resistant rock)
Close to coast
Cooling water supply nearby
At least 50km away from high density population
Away from earthquake/hazard zone