Answers to GCSE Nuclear Power

Answers to Practice Questions

1.Many people object if there is a proposed nuclear power station to be built in their local area. Suggest three reasons for their objection

-Risk of a nuclear accident and the release of radioactive material

– Nuclear power stations are expensive to build and decommission, people do not want to pay for the cost

-Radioactive waste will stay radioactive for thousands of years, the local residents will not want the waste stored in the local area.

2. Suggest how the use of nuclear power is better for the environment compared to burning of fossil fuels

Burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas and contributes to global warming. 

Nuclear power stations do not produce carbon dioxide, so no additional greenhouse gases are produced, therefore they will not contribute to global warming. 

3. What are the advantages of using nuclear power over renewable energy resources such as wind and solar?

Nuclear power is reliable energy resource, whilst solar and wind are both classed as unreliable.