156k views
4 votes
20p. Give two advantages and two disadvantages of

nuclear power

User Mattboy
by
8.1k points

1 Answer

1 vote

Final answer:

Nuclear power has the advantages of minimal air pollution and high efficiency, with low greenhouse gas emissions and reduced landscape damage due to less mining. However, it poses significant risks from hazardous waste, potential nuclear proliferation, and the threat of accidental radiation leaks.

Step-by-step explanation:

Two significant advantages of nuclear power include its minimal air pollution and high efficiency. Nuclear power plants produce electricity through fission without emitting air pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone; they also don't produce carbon dioxide during operation, which means they do not contribute to global warming. Additionally, uranium, which is used in nuclear power, generates far more power per unit weight compared to fossil fuels, requiring less mining and reducing environmental landscape damage. However, there are also notable disadvantages, such as the production of dangerous waste from nuclear electricity that must be securely stored for thousands of years. This nuclear waste can potentially produce bomb-grade materials that present a risk of nuclear proliferation and could be diverted for destructive purposes. There is also the risk of accidental leaks of long-lived radiation from nuclear plants, which threaten the natural and built environment.

User Kirk Beard
by
7.4k points