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Is it safer to generate electricity from nuclear power than coal?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Yes, nuclear power is far safer than coal.
Nuclear power plants do not pollute the environment because of strict regulations governing their waste. The only danger from nuclear power plants are due to accidents like meltdowns or explosions. There have been a number of nuclear power plant incidents, but altogether, not including Chernobyl, these have only killed around 13 people. Only the Chernobyl incident resulted in widespread loss of life, estimated at around 6,000 people.
For comparison, coal power plant pollution kills as many people as Chernobyl every few weeks.
The amount of radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plants is about 3 metric tons per terawatt-hour, while the amount of radioactive waste produced by burning coal is about 2 metric tons per terawatt-hour. However, the nuclear waste is contained and tightly regulated. The coal radioactive waste is dumped into the atmosphere as ash or stored in ponds with much less regulation.
Because the coal power plant radioactive waste is dumped into the environment, and the nuclear power plant waste is stored safely, coal power plants actually irradiate you 100 times as much as nuclear power plants:
- You are exposed to 5 person-rem/year of radiation from nuclear power plants.
- You are exposed to 500 person-rem/year of radiation from coal power plants.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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Nuclear reactors should not be used to generate electricity?
False. Nuclear power is used to generate about 25% of the electricity in the United States, and about 75% of the electricity in France. Nuclear power is far safer than coal-fired power plants, and produces no harmful emissions, if you care about such things.
Information about nuclear power?
Nuclear power is power (generally electrical) produced from controlled (i.e., non-explosive) nuclear reactions. Commercial plants in use to date use nuclear fission reactions. Electric utility reactors heat water to produce steam, which is then used to generate electricity. In 2007, 14% of the world's electricity came from nuclear power, despite concerns about safety and radioactive waste management. More than 150 naval vessels using nuclear propulsion have been built.Nuclear fusion reactions are widely believed to be safer than fission and appear potentially viable, though technically quite difficult. Fusion power has been under intense theoretical and experimental investigation for many years.Both fission and fusion appear promising for some space propulsion applications in the mid- to distant-future, using low thrust for long durations to achieve high mission velocities. Radioactive decay has been used on a relatively small (few kW) scale, mostly to power space missions and experiments.
A state government is trying to decide between using biomass or nuclear power to generate electricity. What advantage does biomass have over nuclear power?
Biomass produces no radioactive waste.
What are the moral reasons for or against nuclear power?
Moral reasons aren't an issue for Nuclear power affairs.. Everything may be dangerous at its beginning, but there isn't another way to develop something without running risks. Moral is related to customs. In the future, I believe that solar energy will substitute nuclear power, unless it becomes much more safer than today is.
Why nuclear power plant is dangerous?
A nuclear power plant is no more dangerous than a fossil power plant. In fact, taking into account the global picture, it is less dangerous, from an economic, and an ecological standpoint. This may seem counter-intuitive, but the fact is that radiation hazard is mitigated by the dilution effects of the atmosphere and oceans and, looking at the big picture, nuclear power plants are safer than fossil power plants, hands down.
Nuclear reactors should not be used to generate electricity?
False. Nuclear power is used to generate about 25% of the electricity in the United States, and about 75% of the electricity in France. Nuclear power is far safer than coal-fired power plants, and produces no harmful emissions, if you care about such things.
What would the world be like with out nuclear power plants?
a little safer, perhaps a little less bright
Information about nuclear power?
Nuclear power is power (generally electrical) produced from controlled (i.e., non-explosive) nuclear reactions. Commercial plants in use to date use nuclear fission reactions. Electric utility reactors heat water to produce steam, which is then used to generate electricity. In 2007, 14% of the world's electricity came from nuclear power, despite concerns about safety and radioactive waste management. More than 150 naval vessels using nuclear propulsion have been built.Nuclear fusion reactions are widely believed to be safer than fission and appear potentially viable, though technically quite difficult. Fusion power has been under intense theoretical and experimental investigation for many years.Both fission and fusion appear promising for some space propulsion applications in the mid- to distant-future, using low thrust for long durations to achieve high mission velocities. Radioactive decay has been used on a relatively small (few kW) scale, mostly to power space missions and experiments.
Is thermal reactors safe?
yes, thermal nuclear reactors are safer than fossil power plants, dams, solar power, and coal mining.
How could workers at a nuclear power plant be safer than workers at a coal-firing plant?
if i knew i wouldnt be looking for the answer
Was electricity used to supply light and power to US factories?
After about 1890, yes. The use of electricity for lights was far safer than the previous alternative of gas lamps.
How safe is a city near a nuclear power plant?
Usually very, often safer than one near a coal plant.
A state government is trying to decide between using biomass or nuclear power to generate electricity. What advantage does biomass have over nuclear power?
Biomass produces no radioactive waste.
What can make nuclear power safer?
By keeping an adequate distance between the reactor and the consumer. A distance of 150 million kilometers should be about right.
What are the moral reasons for or against nuclear power?
Moral reasons aren't an issue for Nuclear power affairs.. Everything may be dangerous at its beginning, but there isn't another way to develop something without running risks. Moral is related to customs. In the future, I believe that solar energy will substitute nuclear power, unless it becomes much more safer than today is.
Most of the electricity used in the world is generated by?
The majority of electricity is generated from fossil fuels, coal, oil and gas. Fossil fuels need to be replaced by other sources as the resources we rely on are becoming more scarce. Increasingly, renewable energy sources are being used such as wind, solar, hydro-electric, tidal but these represent a small percentage of the total generation. Nuclear power has had its share of problems but in the twenty first century, it is making a comeback. Better controlled and safer than early nuclear power stations, new stations are being constructed.
Does Obama approve of nuclear power?
i dont think anyone 100% approves of it but it is needed until a safer and cheaper way is discovered. stuff like wind and water power would be too costly to implement at the moment
