Question 1

Disposal of radioactive waste from the generation of nuclear power is a controversial topic. Given what you know about radioactive decay, why would environmentalists be concerned about the generation of all this waste?

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

How is a pressure water reactor different from a boiling water reactor?

Accepted Answer

In a pressurized water reactor (PWR), the water which acts as both coolant and moderator is kept under high pressure to prevent it from boiling. This water circulates through a heat exchanger where it heats a separate water line to produce steam, which then drives the turbine. The steam that turns the turbine is not exposed to radiation because it is in a separate system from the water that flows through the reactor core. This is different from a boiling water reactor (BWR), where the water heated by the nuclear fuel boils inside the reactor core and the steam produced directly drives the turbine, meaning the steam is exposed to radiation.

Question 3

The heat released in a nuclear chain reaction is ___________________ times more than what is released by burning coal or oil and is used to turn turbines that generate electricity.

Accepted Answer

The energy released in a nuclear chain reaction is approximately 10 million times greater than that released by burning an equivalent amount of coal or oil. This immense energy is harnessed to generate electricity.

Question 4

Explain why nuclear power plants require a vast amount of water.

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Question 5

Why is water valuable in the production of nuclear energy?

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Question 6

How do control rods regulate the rate of the nuclear reaction?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

___________________ is a nuclear reaction that occurs when a neutron strikes the nucleus of an atom and breaks it into two or more parts.

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fission is the process in which the nucleus of an atom is split into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of a large amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. This process is typically initiated by the absorption of a neutron by the nucleus of an atom. Nuclear fission is the basis for the operation of nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.

Question 8

Explain the process involved in producing energy in a fission reactor, starting with U-235 and ending with the production of electricity. Be sure to mention the words "fuel rods" and "control rods."

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

Radioactive tailings are created in which step of the nuclear fuel production?

Accepted Answer

Radioactive tailings are created during the milling process of uranium ore. During the milling process, large amounts of ore are crushed and treated with a chemical solution to separate the uranium from the other minerals. This results in a large amount of waste material containing low-level radioactivity, which is known as radioactive tailings.

Question 10

Infographic 22.2.

-Refer to Infographic 22.2. If the half-life of a certain radioactive isotope is 5 years and 100 atoms of parent material exist in the original sample, how many parent atoms will be present in the sample after 10 years?

Accepted Answer

After 10 years, which is two half-lives (5 years each), the number of parent atoms will be reduced to one-quarter of the original amount. Starting with 100 atoms, after one half-life (5 years), 50 atoms remain, and after the second half-life (another 5 years), 25 atoms remain.

Question 11

Congress authorized a controversial, long-term storage facility but construction was stopped after 15 years. What stopped the construction?

Accepted Answer

President Obama halted construction of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste facility in 2010. The decision was based on concerns about the site's suitability and potential risks, as well as political opposition from the state of Nevada and local communities. The issue remains controversial and unresolved.

Question 12

One of the hazardous issues in producing electricity with nuclear fuel is the large quantity of water it requires. Which of the following is NOT one of the uses of water when producing electricity with nuclear fuel?

Accepted Answer

While water is indeed used to keep the reactor cool and to produce steam, if there is not enough water in the reactor, the fuel rods will overheat and release radioactivity. However, the fuel rods melting and releasing radon gas is not a result of a lack of water, but rather a consequence of the radioactive decay of uranium inside the fuel rods.

Question 13

The first major nuclear accident was at:

Accepted Answer

The first major nuclear accident was at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, USA, in 1979. Although it did not result in any casualties, it caused significant damage to the reactor and raised safety concerns about nuclear power.

Question 14

___________________ rods are used in a nuclear plant to absorb neutrons and regulate the speed of the fission chain reaction.

Accepted Answer

Control rods are specifically designed and used in nuclear plants to absorb neutrons and help regulate the speed of the fission chain reaction. Fuel rods contain the fuel (usually uranium) and are responsible for generating heat through fission. Regulatory rods may be used in some plants, but their purpose is typically to control reactor power levels during plant start-up and shutdown, rather than during normal operation. Mechanical rods do not exist as a specific type of rod used in nuclear plants.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true concerning the storage of high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The incorrect statement is that the longest half-life of materials in high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) is about 2000 years. In reality, some materials in HLRW, such as plutonium-239, have half-lives of over 24,000 years, indicating that the waste remains hazardous for much longer periods.

Question 16

A chain reaction is created in a nuclear plant when U-235 in the fuel rods is bombarded with _______________, causing the nucleus to become unstable and split.

Accepted Answer

In a nuclear plant, a chain reaction is created when U-235 in the fuel rods is bombarded with neutrons. This causes the nucleus to become unstable and split, releasing more neutrons which in turn cause other U-235 atoms to split. This chain reaction releases an enormous amount of energy which is harnessed to produce electricity.

Question 17

Infographic 22.2.

-Refer to Infographic 22.2. Why is the progression of uranium-238 to the stable lead-206 such a concern?

Accepted Answer

The progression of uranium-238 to stable lead-206 takes a very long time, which makes it difficult to dispose of safely. This means that radioactive waste containing uranium-238 can pose a risk to human health and the environment for thousands of years. Additionally, in the process of decaying, uranium-238 produces other radioactive isotopes, which can themselves be hazardous.

Question 18

What is the half-life of a radioactive isotope, and how long is it?

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

Infographic 22.4.

-Refer to Infographic 22.4. Use the infographic to explain how a nuclear reaction happens.

Accepted Answer

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-Refer to Infographic 22.4. Use the...

Question 20

What are some safety precautions used in the production of nuclear energy?

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Quiz 22: Nuclear Power - the Future of Fukushima: Can Nuclear Energy Overcome Its Bad Rep