Nuclear Power: A Very Short IntroductionWith the World desperate to find energy sources that do not emit carbon gasses, nuclear power is back on the agenda and in the news, following the increasing cost of fossil fuels and concerns about the security of their future supply. However, the term 'nuclear power' causes anxiety in many people and there is confusion concerning the nature and extent of the associated risks. Here, Maxwell Irvine presents a concise introduction to the development of nuclear physics leading up to the emergence of the nuclear power industry. He discusses the nature of nuclear energy and deals with various aspects of public concern, considering the risks of nuclear safety, the cost of its development, and waste disposal. Dispelling some of the widespread confusion about nuclear energy, Irvine considers the relevance of nuclear power, the potential of nuclear fusion, and encourages informed debate about its potential. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
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Contents
| 1 | |
A new technology is developed | 19 |
Thermal nuclear reactors | 31 |
Nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste | 51 |
Nuclear safety | 62 |
The cost of nuclear power | 78 |
Nuclear fusion power | 88 |
The need for nuclear power | 102 |
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Common terms and phrases
actinides alpha particle Areva atomic beta billion bomb built BWRs capacity capital cost carbon dioxide carbon emissions chain reaction charged particles chemical Chernobyl coal construction consumption containing coolant critical mass decay decommissioning deuterium efficiency electron emitted enriched uranium explosion extracted facilities fail-safe Fast Reactor FBRs Fermi fission products fossil fuels fuel rods fusion reaction global graphite half-life hazard heat heavy water helium-4 hence hydroelectricity hydrogen III reactors incidents increased industry isotopes Japan laser magnetic field Magnox Magnox reactors Manhattan Project mass number natural nuclear fission nuclear fuel nuclear plant nuclear power station nuclear reactor nuclear weapons nuclear weapons programme nuclei nucleons number of neutrons operating Pile plasma plutonium produce proton PWRs radiation radioactive waste reactor core recycled reduce release reprocessing Rutherford spent fuel storage supply target temperature thermal Three Mile Island tonnes tritium weapon-grade wind power
Bibliographic information
| Title | Nuclear Power: A Very Short Introduction Very Short Introductions |
| Author | Maxwell Irvine |
| Publisher | OUP Oxford, 2011 |
| ISBN | 0191620319, 9780191620317 |
| Length | 160 pages |
| Subjects | › › Business & Economics / Industries / Energy Science / Environmental Science Science / Physics / Nuclear Technology & Engineering / Power Resources / General Technology & Engineering / Power Resources / Nuclear |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |