Question

determine if each statement is fact or fiction for nuclear energy.

fact
generates thousands of times the amount of energy per atom as compared to fossil fuels
does not release carbon dioxide but could release toxic materials to the surrounding environment if a meltdown occurred
relies on radioactive elements that exist in a limited amount on our planet

fiction
uses steam to spin a turbine to generate energy
cleaning up a reactor meltdown is a quick and inexpensive process
hot water released from the reactor is used to melt ice from airport runways
is a renewable resource
spent (used) reactor fuel can be reused as fertilizer for fields growing crops.

Explanation:

• Fact:
• "Generates thousands of times the amount of energy per atom as compared to fossil fuels": Nuclear fission releases a large amount of energy per atom compared to fossil - fuel combustion (a chemical reaction). This is a scientific fact based on the energy - release mechanisms of nuclear and chemical reactions.
• "Does not release carbon dioxide but could release toxic materials to the surrounding environment if a meltdown occurred": Nuclear power plants do not emit \(CO_2\) during normal operation (a fact about its greenhouse - gas emissions). However, in case of a meltdown (like Chernobyl or Fukushima), radioactive and toxic materials can be released, which is a known risk (a factual consequence).
• "Relies on radioactive elements that exist in a limited amount on our planet": Radioactive elements (e.g., uranium - 235) used in nuclear reactors are finite resources on Earth, which is a geological and scientific fact.
• Fiction:
• "Is a renewable resource": Nuclear fuel (e.g., uranium) is not renewable in the same sense as solar or wind energy. Once it is used in a nuclear reaction (especially in current light - water reactors), it is not replenished on a human - timescale.
• "Hot water released from the reactor is used to melt ice from airport runways": There is no common or practical use of hot water from nuclear reactors for melting airport runway ice. This is an unsubstantiated claim.
• "Cleaning up a reactor meltdown is a quick and inexpensive process": History has shown that cleaning up after a nuclear meltdown (e.g., Chernobyl's ongoing sarcophagus work and Fukushima's long - term decontamination efforts) is extremely costly (in terms of money and resources) and time - consuming.
• "Spent (used) reactor fuel can be reused as fertilizer for fields growing crops": Spent reactor fuel is highly radioactive and toxic. It cannot be safely used as fertilizer. In fact, it requires special storage (e.g., in deep geological repositories) to prevent environmental and health hazards.

Answer:

• Fact:
• "Generates thousands of times the amount of energy per atom as compared to fossil fuels"
• "Does not release carbon dioxide but could release toxic materials to the surrounding environment if a meltdown occurred"
• "Relies on radioactive elements that exist in a limited amount on our planet"
• Fiction:
• "Is a renewable resource"
• "Hot water released from the reactor is used to melt ice from airport runways"
• "Cleaning up a reactor meltdown is a quick and inexpensive process"
• "Spent (used) reactor fuel can be reused as fertilizer for fields growing crops"