...Nuclear power debate – Is it worth using nuclear energy? According to the Interdisciplinary Study of Massachusetts Institute of Technology “Around 6% of the world’s energy and 14% of the world’s electricity is produced by nuclear power”. In the United States, 1 in 5 households and business are electrically powered by nuclear energy. This number is even higher in Europe, where a third of the electricity produced comes from nuclear energy. Though, there is always a strong controversy through the public over the usage of this type of energy. Opponents mainly point out the safety issue, waste management problems in dealing with radioactive residuals and the threat of possible leakage. Despite their arguments, I strongly believe that the benefits of nuclear power usage far outweigh the disadvantages and it is the most economically feasible and environmentally friendly way of producing energy. Some people feel that nuclear power represents the danger to the world in a form of possible nuclear warfare. They state, that many politically unstable countries like Iran, North Korea and Pakistan launch nuclear power programs but behind these programs there is an aim of creating the weapon of mass destruction. Fortunately, despite the fact, that US intelligence agencies suspected explosives to be tested on one of the Iran’s nuclear sites, inspection revealed no signs of possible threat there. Apart from it, historical facts show that while there have been wars in recent decades, they...
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...Brittany Money Professor Costello R&W 305W 22 October 2014 Nuclear Power a Solution to Climate Change Climate change is all around us whether someone believes it for themselves or not. From the melting ice caps in Antarctica to the rising seas of Bangladesh. The increase of temperature in the earths atmosphere are rapidly getting worse and the reason for it is the burning of fossil fuels. We as a country, need to make a change in how we produce electricity to help our earth become a more sustainable place for our future children. A great solution to this issue we are facing is nuclear power. Nuclear power has its advantages and disadvantages just like any other form of energy. Although I believe that the advantages out weigh the disadvantages making it the perfect fit to replace fossil fuels. Nuclear power does have its disadvantages, with one being the fear of nuclear accidents. What happened at Chernobyl was the worst nuclear accident the world has seen. Although even that accident isn’t as damaging to the earth as what is happening to our earths atmosphere as we omit carbon dioxide, burning fossil fuels to power our electricity (The Right 61). Another disadvantage of nuclear power is the radioactive waste that the reactors produce. If not stored properly this waste can omit radiation into the air harming many people around the plant. Even with the potential harm scientist are able to dispose of it by solidifying it then it gets buried underground (Chandler). When its...
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...In this day and age, nuclear power is seen as a menacing and unnecessary solution to providing the world with its energy and electricity. However, when looking at the facts nuclear power is far more beneficial than harmful, especially compared to some of the most common sources of energy being widely used today. Nuclear power has many advantages, some of them being environmental, international relations and safety. Some may argue that nuclear power may damage the environment with waste and mining, however recent research has proved that nuclear power is one of the more environmentally friendly sources of energy. These advantages greatly outweigh the possible disadvantages, making nuclear power the better alternative for energy and electricity....
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...also known as fossil fuels, coming to an end, we must consider other forms of energy. Nuclear energy is the energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, when used to generate electricity. Renewable energy is energy from a source that is not depleted when used. Both types of energy are considered to be replacements for fossil fuels, however both with benefits and drawbacks. One of the main advantages of nuclear energy is that it is a clear power with no atmospheric emissions therefore it does not contribute to global warming. They do not produce smoke particles to pollute the atmosphere or emit gases that contribute to acid rain. When comparing this with the atmospheric emissions of fossil fuels, it is a big advantage. It is by far the most concentrated form of energy - a lot of energy is produced from a small mass of fuel, this reduces transport costs. It is considered low cost power for today’s consumption. The technology has already been developed, it is ready for market use. It is not geographically limited as nuclear power plants don't require a lot of space; they do not need a large plot like a wind farm. It is reliable, unlike some forms of renewable energy, it does not depend on the weather. We can control the output from a nuclear power station to fit our needs. Although radioactive, nuclear power does produce a small amount of waste. One of the main disadvantages of nuclear power is the potential of high risk disasters. Such as the 1986 incident in Chernobyl, 237...
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...The Law of Conservation of energy Environmental Science Unit 3 Individual Project The Law of Conservation of energy Environmental Science Unit 3 Individual Project Abstract This paper will discuss multiple forms of renewable energy. I will lay out the advantages and disadvantages of each form of renewable energy and how they affect people, wildlife, and our environment. The Law of Conservation of Energy The Law of Conservation of Energy states that the total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant over time (is said to be conserved over time) although energy within the system can be changed from one form to another or transferred from one object to another (Law of Conservation, n.d.). This law applies to energy use in that we are taking a form of energy and changing it into a different form. We are not actually using up the energy but changing the form of it from one to another. An example of this can be solar energy. We take the energy from the sun and change it into usable energy for our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. This law also applies to energy conservation in that some energy is always wasted when being changed from one form into another. It is impossible to change energy without actually wasting some of it. In many energy conversions, more energy is wasted that is used for work such as automobile engines, they typically waste more than two-thirds of the total energy used, primarily through heat (Law of Conservation...
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...Title: Nuclear Power Advantages General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about the advantages of using nuclear power as an alternative power sources. Thesis Statement: After taking nuclear power advantages into consideration, not many people would feel the need of sticking to conventional fossil fuels, which are causing so much harm to the environment. 1. Introduction A. Attention Getter: When you hear the word of “Nuclear”, what will be in your mine? Nuclear power is being pitched as a suitable replacement for the age-old fossil fuels, and this success of nuclear power can be attributed to various advantages that it has over the other sources of energy. As of today, nuclear power constitutes for about 16 percent of the total power generation in the world. Several countries, such as Japan and France, have acknowledged the prominent advantages of nuclear power and resorted to it. For example, more than 75 percent of power generation in France can be attributed to nuclear energy. Other countries are expected to follow the suit soon, as their evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power plants is in progress. B. Reason To Listen: Owning to its various advantages, nuclear power has gained wide popularity as one of the most efficient alternative energy sources in the world. C. Thesis Statement: After taking nuclear power advantages into consideration, not many people would feel the need of sticking to conventional...
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... Energy resources with low or negative net energy need help to compete in the marketplace • Any energy resource with a low or negative net energy ratio cannot compete in the open marketplace with other energy alternatives with higher net energy ratios unless it receives financial support from the government (taxpayers) or other outside sources of funding. – For example, the low net energy yield for the nuclear power fuel cycle is one reason why many governments throughout the world must heavily support nuclear power financially to make it available to consumers at an affordable price. Section 13-2 WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS? Fossil fuels supply most of our commercial energy • The direct input of solar energy produces several other forms of renewable energy resources that: wind, flowing water, and biomass. • Most commercial energy comes from extracting and burning nonrenewable energy resources obtained from the earth’s crust. – 87% from carbon-containing fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). – 6% from nuclear power. – 8% from...
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...necessity of solving an existing one.” 2. Nuclear power is a source of energy that occurs when a neutron is launched at an unstable atom like uranium or plutonium. A cool fact about nuclear power is that it is a scientific discovery that was funded by the military. The US called it the Manhattan project. The project existed during WWII to create a bomb that would scare the world into peace Nuclear power is used in many ways to create power and to this there are many advantages and disadvantages, there are even some accidents but in the end there are more pros than there are cons. We talk about clean energy and most of you think of water or wind power, but there are some big drawbacks to these that nobody seems to ever discuss. Body I. What it’s used for [pp: 2Einstein]Nuclear energy is used to make power for many things. Many countries such as France and Japan have already changed most of their power to nuclear power and minimized the amount of fossil fuel used to create power. Many of the major navies in the world use this as a way to dominate the seas. The main reason that we don’t want to use fossil fuel is that it creates green house gases that may or may not be causing global warming but they do cause pollution in their immediate area with sulfur and other toxic chemicals. II. How it works [model: reactor][pp:3,atom]Nuclear power is when you harness the power of radioactive metals decaying. All radioactive means...
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...Nuclear power and hydropower, both are able to produce energy without releasing fossil fuels into the air. They are both inexpensive to run but they are expensive to build. Both of these clean air options have advantages and disadvantages. Nuclear power plants have had some major disasters in the past, which make people hesitant of building more. You have to think about the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster and 20th century Chernobyl nuclear meltdown. We have to consider what is best for our environment and if the risk outweighs the benefits. Hydropower was developed many years ago by the “1900’s it accounted for more than 40 percent of United States electricity.” (BOR, 2009) Hydropower produces clean renewable energy that does not release any greenhouse gases and the water evaporates back into the atmosphere. Cost of running hydropower plant is not expensive and can work for years without needing repairs. They provide recreational area, tourist attraction, and controls flooding. The disadvantages “hydropower facilities can have large environmental impacts by changing the environment and affecting land use, homes, and natural habitats in the dam area.”(Turk & Bensel, 2011) There are high investment costs to build a hydropower plant. Hydropower plants can damage the ecosystem by killing off fish and plants. This can affect the fish and their ability to migrate. Therefore, everything has its drawbacks we have to figure out if it is worth it. Nuclear power plants have...
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...Can nuclear energy be a main alternative energy socio-economically rather than other alternative energy to decrease global warming? Introduction Nowadays it seems that most people recognize about the severity of global warming. Houghton (1997) believes that increasing alternative energy rather than using fossil fuels is very important to decrease global warming. Therefore, I chose this topic: Can nuclear energy be a main alternative energy socio-economically rather than other alternative energy to decrease global warming? This assignment will identify why serious global warming started and discuss about nuclear energy as an alternative energy. Finally, it will be examined how people think about nuclear energy used to decrease global warming. Global warming by human activity According to Houghton (1997), since Industrial Revolution fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas are being burnt worldwide rapidly and a lot of carbon dioxide from burning the fossil fuels is promoting global warming. Giddens (1998) stated that many scientists believe the main cause of global warming is carbon dioxide increased. Carbon dioxide which is one of green house gas such as methane, water vapour and nitrous oxide absorbs heat and then re-emit on the earth. So, with carbon dioxide increase, temperature rises on the earth (Carter, 2010) Wyatt (2008) stated that “Industrial revolution stimulated a major increase in production and mass consumption. The ancient sources of power-human...
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...other. There are not different kinds of energy even though there are various forms. These five different forms of energy are categorized as mechanical, chemical, radiant, electrical and nuclear. Mechanical energy is a combination of potential and kinetic energy resulting from the force of gravity or the movement or release of a machine component. An example of mechanical energy would be bowling ball (kinetic energy) striking a pin and displacing it (potential energy). Chemical energy is a form of potential energy that is absorbed or released by chemical reactions. Dried wood stores chemical energy and when burned, releases chemical energy that converts to heat and light. Radiant energy is energy that travels through space. An example of radiant energy would be light. The light from the sun makes it possible for living things to live on earth by providing fuel and warmth. Electrical energy is a form of energy from electromagnetic interactions. Electrical energy is the presence and flow of an electric charge. Lightning or a light bulb would be examples of electrical energy. Nuclear energy is regarded as a source of power and also called atomic energy. It is energy released by a nuclear reaction. Sun is nuclear energy that is produced naturally. Other examples would be nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. Define what we mean by fossil fuels and explain why they are an attractive source of energy. Fossil fuels are energy sources such as petroleum, natural gas and coal which...
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...The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy. The benefit of nuclear technology far outweight the disadvantages. To what extent do you agree or disagree? In our world today, nuclear technology has become one of the top publics topic being discussed in the mass media. It has become part of life in many nations. However there are some question such as : “ If it is advancing our world or destroy it?” Besides the advantages, it aslo has drawbacks and it depends on the people who use to determine it is a force for good or evil. We can clearly see the benefits nuclear power brings to us. While the cost of fuel is increasing everday and other energy sources such as coal and oil are seemingly being used up, nuclear power is a good choice. It is quicker, cleaner and cheaper to produce. Nuclear power does not pollute the air and enviroment as much as coal and oil plants do. Nuclear power plants could still produce electricity after coal and oil become scarce. They need less fuel than ones that burn fossil fuel. Presently, nuclear energy provides for approximately 16% of the world’s electricity. Never the less, it aslo has disadvantages. The effect of radiation causes heath problems, can be very dangerous to living things. Hamful radiation has had negative affects on people and animals that have included deformation, disease and even death. Moreover, nuclear energy is also non-renewable source of energy. The use of non-renewable energy...
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...explanation of nuclear waste, plastic, coal and oil. What are the alternatives of other energy resources, advantages and disadvantages that would contribute to stabilize the environment currently around the the surrounding areas. Effects: Plastic is one of the most used resources that society has; the most common are plastic bags and beverage bottles. Plastic though durable is very slow to degrade. Plastic is sourced from two major categories, thermoset and thermoplastics; thermoset means that the plastic solidifies when it’s heated. Thermoset plastics are most commonly used in cars and construction; soften when heated however they resume their original composition when at room temperature. Some common thermoplastic products include milk jugs, credit cards and carpet fibers. Plastic makes up 13% of solid waste in our water system ; shockingly 8% of plastic is recycled. Plastic in our soil can block the flow of water through the soil as well as hinder the growth production. Plastic covers about 40% of our world’s ocean surfaces. The greatest affect of all is the effect on our animals in the ocean; they are subject to death from being trapped in plastic or more harmfully ingesting plastic. Plastic can also release toxins known as BPA into our water once it is broken apart. Nuclear waste has a great deal of importantance over other types of waste and requires special considerations.. Nuclear waste is radioactive waste that is sourced from the nuclear industry,...
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...The Uncertainty and Disadvantage of Nuclear Power NE 471 Dr.Chang South Carolina State University ANTRON CALDWELL ABSTRACT The future global economy is likely to consume increasing amounts of energy considering the increasing demand for cheap, clean and reliable energy from developing countries such as India and China. Though there are technologies capable of supplying this energy these energy sources come at the expense of increased ozone damaging CO2 emissions. CO2 emissions are believed to be a significant contributor to the rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate known as global warming. In the United States electric power plants emit about 2.2 billon tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year, which is about 40% of the nation’s total carbon emissions (NRDC, 2014). It is generally accepted by climate scientist that if annual carbon emissions are not reduced by at least 80% by the year 2030 then there will be an increase of greater than 2°C (35.2°F) which is considered an acceptable safe level or approximately 4°C (39.2°F) by the year 2100 in the Earth’s climate temperature (Carrington, 2013). These increases in the Earth’s temperature would be catastrophic, however measures taken by the government through the Clean Air Act to regulate emissions from stationary and mobile sources, and groups such as the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) have somewhat reduced the emissions from stationary sources such as power plants and mobile sources such...
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...Nuclear Notes Nuclear energy is a way of creating heat through the fission process of atoms. All power plants change heat into electricity by using steam. The heat that produces the steam is created by fission, which occurs when atoms split apart. This process also creates energy in the form of heat. The neutrons that are released repeats the process making more nuclear energy. This process is called a chain reaction. The heat from the fission boils the water and creates steam to turn a turbine. The turbine then spins and the generator turn causing the magnetic field to produce electricity. The advantage of nuclear energy is that there is little air pollution compared to coal. Coal emits more radiation than one nuclear power plant. Nuclear power plants are also more reliable than coal because they use less fuel and also are not affected by strikes or natural disasters. It is important to use less fuel because the world’s supply of fossil fuel is running out. Last, but not least nuclear energy is safer because barriers separates the radiation and the heat of the reactor core from the outside. The reactor core is enclosed in a 9-inch thick steel pressure container. The pressure container is then surrounded by a thick concrete wall and stays inside a sealed steel containment, which is inside a steel-reinforced concrete dome four feet thick. The dome is designed to withstand natural disasters or a potential threat. There are also many sensors that pick up on the increases...
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