Physics 161 Second Homework Assignment

Answers to most of these questions can be found using Internet Resources.

Questions:

1. Find a Web resource that deals with the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. What, when and where did this happen and approximately how many people were affected. What is the status of this environment today?

2. Approximately how much nuclear waste is generated each year by the US? What are some of the plans for the disposal of this waste?

3. Briefly document the US Safety Record for the Nuclear Industry. You should be able to find data that shows the measured ambient radiation level around nuclear plants in comparison with natural sources.

4. Briefly described how France was able to achieve its goal of reaching nearly 100% electrical energy generation from nuclear fission plants. What does France do with is nuclear waste?

5. What are the realistic prospects for generating power and electricity from Nuclear Fusion? What is a tokamak?

6. When was the announcement of Cold Fusion made? What is the claim of cold fusion? Has this mechanism been verified to work?

7. Give some URLs that show remote sensing examples of Urban Heat Islands