What is true of nuclear energy?

What is true of nuclear energy?

• A. It produces a lot of greenhouse gas emissions during operation
• B. It has no radioactive waste
• C. It uses solar energy to generate heat
• D. Nuclear power produces radioactive waste that must be disposed of properly

Answer: (D)

Nuclear energy relies on fission to generate heat for electricity, and a key consequence of this process is the production of radioactive waste that must be disposed of properly. While operating a nuclear plant releases very little greenhouse gas compared with fossil fuels, the waste aspect is the enduring challenge: spent fuel and other radioactive materials stay hazardous for long periods and require careful cooling, shielding, and secure, long-term disposal in appropriate facilities. This need for safe management of radioactive waste is what makes disposal a critical part of nuclear power. The other statements don’t fit because the process does not depend on solar energy, it does produce radioactive waste, and its operation does not emit large amounts of greenhouse gases in the way fossil fuel plants do.

Nuclear energy relies on fission to generate heat for electricity, and a key consequence of this process is the production of radioactive waste that must be disposed of properly. While operating a nuclear plant releases very little greenhouse gas compared with fossil fuels, the waste aspect is the enduring challenge: spent fuel and other radioactive materials stay hazardous for long periods and require careful cooling, shielding, and secure, long-term disposal in appropriate facilities. This need for safe management of radioactive waste is what makes disposal a critical part of nuclear power.

The other statements don’t fit because the process does not depend on solar energy, it does produce radioactive waste, and its operation does not emit large amounts of greenhouse gases in the way fossil fuel plants do.