comparing solar and nuclear
Which one only works when the sun shines: solar or nuclear?
Solar.
What element is split in nuclear power plants?
Uranium.
When can solar power generate electricity?
Only when the sun is shining.
What does a solar cell use to generate electricity?
Sunlight.
What is happening to the world’s energy demand?
It is rising.
Which one produces radioactive waste: solar or nuclear?
Nuclear.
What does the heat from nuclear fission turn into steam?
Water.
What is needed to use solar energy at night?
Batteries to store energy.
What is the main material inside a solar cell?
Silicon (a type of semiconductor).
What do we need to reduce to fight climate change?
Carbon emissions.
Which power source is becoming cheaper over time?
Solar power.
What spins to make electricity in a nuclear plant?
Turbines.
What is one downside of large solar projects?
They need a large area of land.
What type of current does a solar cell produce first?
Direct current (DC).
What kind of energy sources should we use instead of fossil fuels?
Renewable and low-carbon energy sources.
Name one reason nuclear power is more expensive than solar.
It takes a long time to build and has higher construction costs.
Why is nuclear power considered reliable?
It works day and night and produces consistent energy.
Why is storing solar power a challenge for large-scale use?
Because batteries are needed, which can be expensive and take up space.
What happens to the DC electricity from a solar panel before it’s used in homes?
It is converted into alternating current (AC).
Why is reducing fossil fuel use important for the planet?
cause fossil fuels cause carbon emissions that drive climate change.
ist two major differences between solar and nuclear power regarding build time and physical waste.
Solar has a short build time and produces no physical waste, while nuclear takes a long time to build and produces radioactive waste.
What process allows nuclear power plants to generate electricity, and what is the biggest long-term environmental concern associated with it?
Nuclear fission (splitting uranium atoms); the biggest concern is the production of radioactive waste.
Despite being clean and renewable, why can solar power be unreliable without additional systems?
Because it only works when the sun is shining and requires batteries to store energy for use at night or during cloudy weather.
What is the photovoltaic effect, and what material is primarily used to make it possible in solar cells?
The photovoltaic effect is the process by which sunlight is converted into electricity; silicon-based semiconductors are primarily used.
Why is the world encouraged to transition away from fossil fuels, and what types of energy are needed instead?
Because fossil fuels contribute to climate change through carbon emissions; we need renewable and low-carbon energy sources.