answersLogoWhite

0

Negatives about nuclear power

Updated: 12/13/2022
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Best Answer

The primary negative of nuclear power is nuclear waste. Nuclear reactors are fueled by rods filled with pellets of enriched uranium, which is deadly radioactive. The radioactive energy heats water into steam which drives turbine generators to produce electricity. But eventually, the rods "wear out" and lose their ability to generate steam, so they're replaced with fresh rods. The problem is, the old rods are still extremely hot and very radioactive! So, the nuclear power plant puts the old rods into the bottom of a giant cooling tank until they cool off enough to dispose of. However, even cooled-off waste is still poisonous and deadly radioactive for hundreds, even thousands of years.

If the cooling rods are not constantly cooled, as what happened after the Japan quake/tsunami, they can emit radioactive steam or even melt down. If the melting radioactive slag reaches the water table or a stream, it can pollute the water and poison people who are exposed to it. Exposure to intensely radioactive material can be fatal.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Negatives about nuclear power
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Which countries operate commercial nuclear reactors?

See www.world-nuclear.org for country by country information:INFORMATION PAPERSNUCLEAR BASICSOutline History of Nuclear Energy The Nuclear Debate GlossaryFACTS AND FIGURESWorld Nuclear Power Reactors 2008-09 and Uranium Requirements Nuclear share figures, 1998-2008 - May 2009 Uranium production figures, 1998-2008 - June 2009COUNTRY AND REGIONAL BRIEFINGSUranium in Africa Nuclear Power in Argentina Nuclear Power in Armenia Australia's Uranium Nuclear Energy Prospects in Australia Nuclear Power in Belgium Nuclear Power in Brazil Nuclear Power in Bulgaria California's Electricity Nuclear Power in Canada Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 1: Ontario Energy Policy Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 2: Alberta Tar Sands Uranium in Canada Uranium in Canada Appendix 1: Brief History of Uranium Mining in Canada Uranium in Central Asia Nuclear Power in China Nuclear Power in China Appendix 1: Government Structure and Ownership China's Nuclear Fuel Cycle Nuclear Power in Czech Republic Nuclear Energy in Denmark Nuclear Power in Finland Nuclear Power in France Nuclear Power in Germany Nuclear Power in Hungary Nuclear Power in India Nuclear Energy in Iran Nuclear Power in Italy Nuclear Power in Japan Uranium and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan Nuclear Power in Korea Nuclear Power in Lithuania Nuclear Power in Mexico Uranium in Namibia Nuclear Energy Prospects in New Zealand Nuclear Power in the Netherlands Uranium in Niger Nuclear Power in Pakistan Nuclear Power in Romania Nuclear Power in Russia Nuclear Power in Slovakia Nuclear Power in Slovenia Nuclear Power in South Africa Nuclear Power in Spain Nuclear Power in Sweden Nuclear Power in Sweden Appendix 1: Barsebäck Closure Nuclear Power in Switzerland Nuclear Power in Taiwan Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom Nuclear Power in Ukraine Nuclear Power in United Arab Emirates Nuclear Power in the USA Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 1: US Operating Nuclear Reactors Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 2 Power Plant Purchases: Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 3: COL Applications US Nuclear Fuel Cycle US Nuclear Fuel Cycle Appendix 1: US Uranium Mining and Exploration US Nuclear Power Policy Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries


What are examples of nuclear power?

nuclear power


How are nuclear power plants?

by nuclear power ¬.¬


How does nuclear get its power?

Nuclear power is produced through two processes: Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion.


What are the negatives about using Nuclear Energy?

This is not correct. Assuming "Using Nuclear Energy" means using it to generate electricity in a reactor. A nuclear reactor is a power plant, that uses nuclear fission to eventually generate electricity. An atom bomb also uses nuclear fission to generate energy causing an explosion. However, due to fundamental differences between the two a nuclear reactor cannot explode like an atom bomb.


Do microwaves have any nuclear power?

There is no nuclear power involved in a microwave unless the electricity used to power it is from a nuclear power plant.


Is nuclear power biology?

No. Nuclear power is not based on biology. It is based on nuclear physics.


What do nuclear power plants have to do with nuclear energy?

Nuclear power plants produce electricity by using nuclear energy


What percentage of US power production is from nuclear power?

It is 28% nuclear power.


Does a CANDU produce nuclear or hydroelectric power?

nuclear power


What are the two nuclear power stations in Pakistan?

The Chashma Nuclear Power Complex and Karachi Nuclear Power Plant are in Pakistan.


What is nuclear power use for?

It is used for electricity in nuclear power plants == == Nuclear power is used to heat steam which then turns turbines, which generate electricity in nuclear power stations and also to provide propulsion and power on board nuclear submarines.