AP Environmental Science : Nuclear Energy
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Nuclear Energy
The most common nuclear fuel used to produce a fission chain reaction in a nuclear weapon is:
Uranium-238
Plutonium-240
Uranium-235
Plutonium-238
Uranium-236
Uranium-235
U-235 differs from U-238 in that U-235 is able to produce a fission chain reaction. U-238 is the most common isotope of uranium, with the U-235 isotope constituting less than 1% of natural sources. Uranium enrichment is the process by which U-235 is separated out, and it is this product that is most commonly used to manufacture nuclear weapons. Pu-239 is produced from U-238 and can be used for nuclear weapons as well, but Pu-239 is not an answer choice.
Example Question #2 : Nuclear Energy
Which of the following is a pressing issue with the production of nuclear energy?
Prices for energy are too low for it to be profitable
Heavy air pollution
Where to store spent fuel waste
Various cancers afflicting local wildlife
Destruction as a result from frequent nuclear blasts
Where to store spent fuel waste
Producing nuclear energy is a lot cleaner than most people realize, and while it is expensive (but still profitable), it represents a legitimate option for producing cleaner energy. The main drawback is that the resulting "spent fuel" has to be secured and stored, because it cannot be safely disposed of without significant repercussions.
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