1. A dramatic explosion and reactor meltdown resulted in the release of radioactive material, resulting in the loss of hundreds of human lives and immense environmental damage in 1.Tokaimura, Japan 2.Rancho Seco, CA 3.Shoreham, Long Island, NY 4.Three Mile Island, PA 5.Chernobyl, Ukraine 13.1

2. A dramatic explosion and reactor meltdown resulted in the release of radioactive material, resulting in the loss of hundreds of human lives and immense environmental damage in 1.Tokaimura, Japan 2.Rancho Seco, CA 3.Shoreham, Long Island, NY 4.Three Mile Island, PA 5.Chernobyl, Ukraine 13.1

3. Which of the following is NOT a significant environmental or health issue associated with nuclear power? 1.It produces greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollution. 2.It causes local thermal pollution. 3.It produces wastes that are radioactive for extremely long periods. 4.Human accidents and carelessness can expose humans and the environment to radioactivity. 5.It is difficult to determine whether nuclear material is being processed by “rogue” states for energy generation or weapons. 13.2

4. Which of the following is NOT a significant environmental or health issue associated with nuclear power? 1.It produces greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollution. 2.It causes local thermal pollution. 3.It produces wastes that are radioactive for extremely long periods. 4.Human accidents and carelessness can expose humans and the environment to radioactivity. 5.It is difficult to determine whether nuclear material is being processed by “rogue” states for energy generation or weapons. 13.2

5. Which of the following countries uses nuclear power to generate the greatest percentage of its electricity? 1.France 2.Japan 3.U.S. 4.Russian Republic 5.China 13.3

6. Which of the following countries uses nuclear power to generate the greatest percentage of its electricity? 1.France 2.Japan 3.U.S. 4.Russian Republic 5.China 13.3

7. A nuclear reaction in which two small atoms are crashed into one another to produce a third larger atom with the release of energy is 1.fusion. 2.fission. 3.fixation. 4.a chain reaction. 5.a meltdown. 13.4

8. A nuclear reaction in which two small atoms are crashed into one another to produce a third larger atom with the release of energy is 1.fusion. 2.fission. 3.fixation. 4.a chain reaction. 5.a meltdown. 13.4

9. All isotopes of a certain element 1.have the same atomic mass. 2.have the same number of protons and electrons. 3.have the same number of neutrons. 4.are radioactive. 5.move at the same rate through a spinning centrifuge. 13.5

10. All isotopes of a certain element 1.have the same atomic mass. 2.have the same number of protons and electrons. 3.have the same number of neutrons. 4.are radioactive. 5.move at the same rate through a spinning centrifuge. 13.5

11. In U.S. nuclear power plants, the rate of the nuclear chain reaction is controlled by 1.adding and removing water. 2.adding and removing fuel elements. 3.opening and closing valves to control super-heated steam. 4.inserting or removing rods of neutron-absorbing material. 5.adding different kinds or isotopes of nuclear material. 13.6

12. In U.S. nuclear power plants, the rate of the nuclear chain reaction is controlled by 1.adding and removing water. 2.adding and removing fuel elements. 3.opening and closing valves to control super-heated steam. 4.inserting or removing rods of neutron-absorbing material. 5.adding different kinds or isotopes of nuclear material. 13.6

13. The rate at which nuclear decay will happen for a sample of radioactive material is described by which of the following? 1.the starting amount of material 2.the identity of the material 3.the half-life of the isotope 4.the purity of the sample 5.both 2 and 3 are correct 13.7

14. The rate at which nuclear decay will happen for a sample of radioactive material is described by which of the following? 1.the starting amount of material 2.the identity of the material 3.the half-life of the isotope 4.the purity of the sample 5.both 2 and 3 are correct 13.7

15. The greatest risk of exposure to radiation is due to 1.normal operations of a nuclear power plant. 2.cosmic radiation at sea level. 3.dental X-rays. 4.natural radiation from the soil. 5.radon in the average U.S. house. 13.8

16. The greatest risk of exposure to radiation is due to 1.normal operations of a nuclear power plant. 2.cosmic radiation at sea level. 3.dental X-rays. 4.natural radiation from the soil. 5.radon in the average U.S. house. 13.8

17. Currently, spent fuel produced by most U.S. nuclear energy facilities is stored 1.in air-cooled metal casks buried underground. 2.in storage pools on the individual power plant facilities. 3.in a centralized facility in the western U.S. 4.in caves of developing nations. 5.in leakproof containers at the ocean bottom. 13.9

18. Currently, spent fuel produced by most U.S. nuclear energy facilities is stored 1.in air-cooled metal casks buried underground. 2.in storage pools on the individual power plant facilities. 3.in a centralized facility in the western U.S. 4.in caves of developing nations. 5.in leakproof containers at the ocean bottom. 13.9

19. Which of the following is NOT true about the plan for “permanent” storage of nuclear wastes at Yucca Mountain in Nevada? 1.The site was selected after ~30 years of planning. 2.The state of Nevada has passed legislation that prohibits storage of nuclear wastes within its borders. 3.States have protested shipping of nuclear wastes to Yucca Mountain through their borders. 4.The federal government must abide by the states’ decisions concerning shipping and storage of nuclear wastes. 5.There is some debate about groundwater contamination due to nuclear wastes during the next several thousand years. 13.10

20. Which of the following is NOT true about the plan for “permanent” storage of nuclear wastes at Yucca Mountain in Nevada? 1.The site was selected after ~30 years of planning. 2.The state of Nevada has passed legislation that prohibits storage of nuclear wastes within its borders. 3.States have protested shipping of nuclear wastes to Yucca Mountain through their borders. 4.The federal government must abide by the states’ decisions concerning shipping and storage of nuclear wastes. 5.There is some debate about groundwater contamination due to nuclear wastes during the next several thousand years. 13.10

21. “Passive safety” design would, theoretically, reduce or eliminate which major drawback associated with nuclear reactors? 1.the production of nuclear wastes 2.thermal pollution 3.the need to purify and enrich nuclear material 4.human error 5.the threat of terrorist attack 13.11

22. “Passive safety” design would, theoretically, reduce or eliminate which major drawback associated with nuclear reactors? 1.the production of nuclear wastes 2.thermal pollution 3.the need to purify and enrich nuclear material 4.human error 5.the threat of terrorist attack 13.11