Part I
Part I: Using the lab animation, fill in the data table below to gather your data, and use it to help you generate your hypothesis, outcomes, and analysis .
| Energy Source | Fuel (Coal)/Uranium Needed (tons) | CO 2 Emissions (tons) | Sulfur Dioxide and Other Emissions (tons) | Radioactivity mSv (millisievert) | Solid Waste (tons) | Accidents |
| Coal Q1 | 625,000 | 1.75 mil | 75,000 | 0.25 mSv | 150,000 | |
| Coal Q2 | 1.25 mil | 3.5 mil | 150,000 | 0.5 mSv | 300,000 | Health impairments |
| Coal Q3 | 1.875 mil | 5.25 mil | 225,000 | 0.75 mSv | 450,000 | Worker fatalities |
| Coal Q4 | 2.5 mil | 7 mil | 300,000 | 1mSv | 600,000 | Fire destruction |
| Nuclear Q1 | 18,750/7.5 | 52,500 | 0 | 0.0025mSv | 62.5 | |
| Nuclear Q2 | 37,500/15 | 105,000 | 0 | 0.005mSv | 125 | |
| Nuclear Q3 | 56,250/22.5 | 157,500 | 0 | 0.0075 mSv | 187.5 | Minor emissions |
| Nuclear Q4 | 75,00/30 | 210,000 | 0 | 0.01 mSv | 250 | Catastrophic releases leading to radiation sickness, death and environmental contamination |
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Part II
Purpose of the Lab : To determine the most efficient source of energy (between coal and nuclear plants) that can sustain humans.
Introduction
Energy is a very essential part of day-to-day human existence (Nebel & Wright, 2008). It is as a result of the production of energy that today, electricity is present. Electricity is one of the most important resources not only in the United States. Factories run on electricity-driven machinery and it is also largely depended on by many households. Initially, the most popular forms of energy used were fossil fuels, oil, and natural gas. These have, however, been replaced by other resources such as solar, geothermal power, hydro, and wind because of their impact on the environment which has been identified as a factor to global warming.
Hypothesis: Nuclear energy can be used as a source of energy that maintains human sustainability.
Methods
Data was collected by analyzing two plants: a coal-generating plant and a nuclear plant. Key areas such as accidents experienced and the emissions from these stations were observed. The data collected was recorded in two different tables.
Results
The results of this research indicated that the amount of radioactivity released by coal was 100 times that of nuclear energy. Also, sulphur dioxide and other emissions in coal are higher than those in nuclear. In the first quarter, sulfur emissions in coal plants amounted to 75,000 tons, a number that added up to 300,000 tons. As for the nuclear plant, there were 0 tons of such emissions.
Discussions
It is a common way of thinking that nuclear energy is destructive. However, it is one of the most viable sources of energy that can ensure human sustainability. Despite it having catastrophic effects in the long run, it can still be tapped and used for the better.
References
Nebel, B., & Wright, R. (2008). Environment science: towards a sustainable future . (9 th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
