P3
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Compare the carbon dioxide emissions of fossil fuel power stations and nuclear power stations.
Fossil fuels: Release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide when burnt, contributing to climate change. Nuclear power: Does not release greenhouse gases during electricity generation.
What are the two main reasons a fuel is classified as a “biofuel”?
Renewable: Its biological source regrows or is produced at the same rate it is used. Carbon-neutral: In theory, the carbon the organism took in while alive balances the carbon released when the fuel is burnt.
How does the energy released per kg of nuclear fuel compare to that of fossil fuels?
Nuclear fuel is far more energy-dense. It releases roughly 10,000 times more energy per kilogram than fossil fuels (300,000,000 Mj vs 30-40 Mj)
What is a major disadvantage of using nuclear power in terms of waste?
It produces radioactive waste that is dangerous and must be stored securely for many thousands of years.
Describe the trend in global energy consumption since 1950 according to the data provided
Total energy consumption has increased rapidly. While the use of traditional biomass has remained relatively constant, the use of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) and nuclear power has grown significantly to meet rising demand.
Briefly describe what happens to a uranium nucleus during the process that generates heat in a reactor.
The nucleus of a uranium atom is unstable and splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy as heat.