Nuclear Power Concepts and Issues

The video explores the history and development of nuclear power, starting from its origins in the 1940s. It discusses the initial excitement and subsequent challenges faced by the nuclear industry, including the complexity and cost of nuclear power. The light water reactor is highlighted as a prevalent but not the most efficient type of reactor. The video also covers significant nuclear incidents like Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima, which have influenced public perception and policy. Finally, it examines the current state of nuclear energy, its contribution to global energy demand, and the choices countries face regarding nuclear power's future.

What event in the 1940s led to the initial promise of nuclear energy?

• The launch of the first satellite

• The invention of the steam engine

• The end of World War II

• The discovery of electricity

Why did private companies initially avoid investing in nuclear power?

• It was too risky

• It was too cheap

• It was too easy to implement

• It was too popular

What caused the renewed interest in nuclear power in the early 1970s?

• A new government policy

• A war in the Middle East

• A decrease in coal prices

• A technological breakthrough

What is the primary function of a light water reactor?

• To store nuclear waste

• To produce wind energy

• To heat water using a chain reaction

• To generate solar power

What element is commonly used in nuclear fission within light water reactors?

• Carbon

• Hydrogen

• Oxygen

• Uranium-235

What was a significant nuclear incident in 1979?

• Three Mile Island incident

• Hanford Site leak

• Fukushima disaster

• Chernobyl disaster

Which nuclear disaster directly threatened Central Europe in 1986?

• Fukushima

• Chernobyl

• Three Mile Island

• Hanford Site

As of 2015, how many nuclear reactors were under construction worldwide?

• 50

• 150

• 70

• 100

What percentage of the world's energy demand is met by nuclear energy today?

• 5%

• 10%

• 20%

• 30%

What is a major decision faced by many countries regarding nuclear power today?

• Whether to invest in solar power

• Whether to replace aging reactors

• Whether to ban nuclear weapons

• Whether to increase coal production