Chapter 31, Problem 16Q

To determine

The merits, disadvantages, pollution and safety of fossil fuels, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

Answer to Problem 16Q

Solution:

The merits of using fossil fuels are, it is cheap and easily available. The disadvantages are its abundance. Fossil fuel may be completely exhausted in the near future. The pollution level is also high because fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases during the process of combustion. Fossil fuels are easy to manage and it is safe.

The merit of a nuclear fission is the efficiency. The disadvantage is the high contamination as radiation. The high cost of the fuel is also a disadvantage. Pollution level is high due to radiation. It needs high safety measures, since the reaction is uncontrollable. So, it is not safe.

The merits of nuclear fusion are the high efficiency and the availability of the fuel. The disadvantage is the uncontrollable nature of the fusion reaction. The pollution is low because, there is no radiation contamination and no nuclear waste. Safety is very low since the reaction is uncontrollable.

Explanation of Solution

In nuclear fission, a heavier nucleus is disintegrated to form lighter nuclei along with the release of a huge amount of energy.

In nuclear fusion, lighter nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus along with the release of huge amount of energy.