SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
100% RATED CORRECT | 2025-2026 LATEST UPDATE
What is the maximum theoretical efficiency of a solar panel (and why) only 77% is absorbed
by silicon (23% passes through)
of that 77%, only 30% of it is converted into electrical energy (waste heat etc)
77% * 30% = 23% efficiency
What are the typical efficiencies of a solar panel? 10-12%
What are the advantages of nuclear energy? Produces huge amounts of energy from small
amount of fuel
Does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide (less pollution related deaths)
Produces small amounts of waste
Reliable
Much less deaths per kWh (comparable to solar and wind)
What are the disadvantages of nuclear energy? Waste is very dangerous, must be kept safe
from natural disasters, terrorism etc
Safety is very expensive to be robust
Any accident can be catastrophic
Refining fuel is costly
Risky in unstable regions
Finite quantity of nuclear fuels on earth
How much energy (MeV) in one amu 931 MeV
, What atom has the most binding energy? Iron
What is nuclear fusion? The process of combining two light nuclei to form a single heavier
nucleus
What is nuclear fission? The process of splitting one heavier nucleus into two smaller nuclei
What is conserved in a nuclear reaction? Number of nucleons
Electric charge
Momentum
Mass/Energy
What is the nuclear decay law? N/N0 = e^(-λt)
What does a moderator do? Slows down neutrons
what makes a good moderator? little absorpitivity of neutrons, low atomic weight
What is breeding in nuclear physics? when a reactor produces more than one fissionable
nucleus for each nucleus that is fissioned
What is the journey of uranium from mining to fuel? Uranium oxide ore, processed to yellow
cake, refined to uranium gaseous hexafluoride, enriched in centrifuge, processed into uranium
oxide pellets
What are the parts of a fuel rod? Fuel pellet stack, zirconium cladding, coolant jacket
100% RATED CORRECT | 2025-2026 LATEST UPDATE
What is the maximum theoretical efficiency of a solar panel (and why) only 77% is absorbed
by silicon (23% passes through)
of that 77%, only 30% of it is converted into electrical energy (waste heat etc)
77% * 30% = 23% efficiency
What are the typical efficiencies of a solar panel? 10-12%
What are the advantages of nuclear energy? Produces huge amounts of energy from small
amount of fuel
Does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide (less pollution related deaths)
Produces small amounts of waste
Reliable
Much less deaths per kWh (comparable to solar and wind)
What are the disadvantages of nuclear energy? Waste is very dangerous, must be kept safe
from natural disasters, terrorism etc
Safety is very expensive to be robust
Any accident can be catastrophic
Refining fuel is costly
Risky in unstable regions
Finite quantity of nuclear fuels on earth
How much energy (MeV) in one amu 931 MeV
, What atom has the most binding energy? Iron
What is nuclear fusion? The process of combining two light nuclei to form a single heavier
nucleus
What is nuclear fission? The process of splitting one heavier nucleus into two smaller nuclei
What is conserved in a nuclear reaction? Number of nucleons
Electric charge
Momentum
Mass/Energy
What is the nuclear decay law? N/N0 = e^(-λt)
What does a moderator do? Slows down neutrons
what makes a good moderator? little absorpitivity of neutrons, low atomic weight
What is breeding in nuclear physics? when a reactor produces more than one fissionable
nucleus for each nucleus that is fissioned
What is the journey of uranium from mining to fuel? Uranium oxide ore, processed to yellow
cake, refined to uranium gaseous hexafluoride, enriched in centrifuge, processed into uranium
oxide pellets
What are the parts of a fuel rod? Fuel pellet stack, zirconium cladding, coolant jacket
