Answer to Question #160174 in Atomic and Nuclear Physics for Rashinda

Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of fission reactors from the point of view of safety, pollution and resources. Make a comparison with power generated from the burning of fossil fuels.

Answer 1

Continuing concern about nuclear fission reactors is the safe disposal of radioactive material when the reactor core is replaced. This waste material contains long–lived, highly radioactive isotopes and must be stored over long time intervals in such a way that there is no chance of environmental contamination.

Transport of reactor fuel and reactor wastes poses additional safety risks. Accidents during the transport of nuclear fuel could expose the public to harmful levels of radiation.

Despite these risks, there are advantages to the use of nuclear power to be weighed against the risks. For example, nuclear power plants do not produce air pollution and greenhouse gasses as do fossil fuel plants, and the supply of uranium on Earth is predicted to last longer than the supply of fossil fuels.