Nuclear Power

• What is the primary function of nuclear power plants?

  To generate electricity
• What elements do nuclear power plants run on?

  Uranium and plutonium
• What are the advantages of generating electricity by nuclear power?

  • Does not release carbon dioxide
  • Does not contribute to climate change
  • Extremely reliable electricity generation
• Why does nuclear power not contribute to climate change?

  It does not release carbon dioxide
• How reliable is nuclear power in generating electricity?

  It generates a lot of electricity when needed
• What are the disadvantages of nuclear power?

  • Contains highly dangerous radioactive materials
  • Risk of environmental release during accidents
  • Expensive and lengthy decommissioning process
  • Generates large amounts of radioactive waste
• What is a major risk associated with nuclear power plants?

  Release of radioactive materials during accidents
• What happened at the Japanese nuclear power plant in 2011?

  A tsunami flooded the plant
• What was the consequence of the 2011 tsunami incident?

  Evacuation of over 150,000 people
• How long does the cleanup from a nuclear accident take?

  It can continue for many years
• What must happen to a nuclear power plant at the end of its life?

  It must be decommissioned or dismantled
• What is a challenge associated with decommissioning a nuclear power plant?

  It is extremely expensive and time-consuming
• What type of waste does a nuclear power plant generate?

  Highly dangerous radioactive waste
• How long must radioactive waste be stored before it is safe?

  For thousands of years