Why is it so important to model the possible mechanisms of failure in nuclear reactors? Explain why
What will be an ideal response?
Any technology that is complex, such as found in nuclear power stations, can fail
in "interesting" ways. There are so many pieces that must work correctly together that it is
easy to se that failure of one aspect will have effects, but with so many parts, some of them
will be hard to anticipate. The fault tree and event tree analyses are important because they
try to trace forward from any problem in the system to see what effects could occur and
back from certain consequences to see what problems could have caused the outcomes.
Computer models can be much more thorough than human beings at following
consequences. These models are essential, though they are limited by the code written—if
something is left out or something that is put in is incorrect physically, the code could
mislead as well. It is important that as many physical principles as possible be used in
assembling the models.
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What is an electromagnet?
a. All magnets are electromagnets. b. An unscientific term based on confusing electricity with magnetism. c. An electrical coil wrapped around an iron core. d. Another name for a magnetic pole. e. A device that attracts electrons.
The lower atmosphere is directly warmed
A) by incoming solar radiation. B) by the emission of terrestrial radiation. C) from the weight of the atmosphere above. D) by the absorption of terrestrial radiation.
Why is UV astronomy difficult to do from the ground?
What will be an ideal response?
A headwaiter at a restaurant decides to apply the exclusion principle to the seating of patrons. He will treat tables as sub-shells, and will only seat patrons if the number of the people to be seated adds up to a complete sub-shell. Of the numbers below, the number he would not be willing to seat at one table is
a. 2. b. 4. c. 6. d. 10. e. 14.