Compare the environmental effects of coal and uranium as power sources
What will be an ideal response?
Coal and uranium are both mined, which creates landscape damage and harmful tailings that can contaminate waterways. Uranium generates more power than coal by weight or volume, so less of it needs to be mined. Combusting coal for electricity emits sulfur and nitrogen oxides that contribute to acidic deposition. Coal burning also emits particulate matter, which threatens human health and creates carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change. Even considering all the steps involved in building plants and generating power, researchers from the International Atomic Energy Agency calculated that nuclear power lowers emissions 4 to 150 times below fossil fuel combustion. Because of safety regulations, nuclear power plants are safer for workers than coal-fired power plants. However, uranium from nuclear power plants creates radioactive waste that must be disposed of and sequestered for centuries. Also, people fear the catastrophic consequences of accidents and sabotage to nuclear power plants.
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It the Earth were not rotating:
A) the Earth would lose its atmosphere. B) friction would be eliminated. C) winds would not be impacted by the Coriolis Effect. D) all air would move in one direction only.
The ____ is found just above the stratosphere
a. mesosphere b. tropopause c. troposphere d. ozonosphere e. Karman line
CFCs were primarily used in ________
A) power plants B) factories C) refrigeration D) aerosols E) automobiles
Which of two countries of Southwest Asia and North Africa have the most diversified economies, and are not reliant on oil?
A) Qatar and Bahrain B) Morocco and Algeria C) Saudi Arabia and Oman D) Turkey and Israel E) Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates