VCE PHYSICS UNIT 1
Briefing on a Nuclear Issue
For this outcome, you are required to write a response to the following
proposal:
“All nuclear reactors should be decommissioned in view of the nuclear
accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi.”
Your essay-style response should address each of the points below.
A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
C.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Introduction
How many nuclear reactors are there currently worldwide, for power
generation?
Which countries rely heavily on nuclear energy for their energy needs?
What are the advantages of nuclear power ?
What potential dangers are there in operating nuclear power plants ?
Chernobyl
What kind of reactor was the one at Chernobyl, and how did it
work ?
What went wrong in April 1986 ? Why ?
What were the short-term effects of the Chernobyl accident ?
What was done to deal with the short-term effects ?
What were the long-term effects of the Chernobyl accident ?
What has been done to deal with the long-term effects ?
What has and/or should be done to eliminate the possibility of this
ever happening again ?
What risks, if any, does Chernobyl currently pose?
Fukushima Daiichi
What kind of reactor was operating at Fukushima Daiichi ?
What went wrong in March 2011 ? Why ?
What were the short-term effects of the accident ?
What was done to deal with the short-term effects ?
What were the long-term effects of the accident ?
What has been done to deal with the long-term effects ?
What has and/or should be done to eliminate the possibility of this ever
happening again in Japan?
What risks, if any, does Fukushima Daiichi currently pose?
D.
1.
2.
Nuclear Accidents
Have there been any other nuclear accidents in history ? If
so, include details.
Are there any other issues with the use of nuclear power ?
List and discuss as many as you can.
E.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Decommissioning
What is decommissioning ?
How is it carried out ?
What becomes of the fuel ?
What becomes of the site ?
Summarise the current ways of dealing with nuclear waste and research that is
being done in this area.
F.
1.
Australia’s position
Why does Australia have a huge stake in the nuclear power
debate ? Discuss several reasons (eg. economic,
environmental, political)
There are different views in Australia about uranium
mining/nuclear power. Summarise these.
Where is much of Australia’s uranium, and why is this
significant ?
2.
3.
G.
1.
Response to Proposal
Give your view of the proposal given above, backing up your opinions with
appropriate evidence.
BRIEFING ON A NUCLEAR ISSUE
5
Introduction
Statistics
Reliance
Advantages
Potential dangers
Chernobyl
Reactor & how it
works
Cause of disaster
Short & long-term
effects
How effects dealt with
How to prevent future
accidents
Current risks
Nuclear Accidents
History including
details
Issues with nuclear
power
Decommissioning
Definition
Fuel
Site
Waste disposal
including current
research
Australia’s position
Views for/against
Economic viewpoint
Political viewpoint
Location &
significance of
Australia’s Uranium
Environmental, social
issues
Response to essay
question, with evidence
/30 =
COMMENT:
%
Very
detailed
NAME
4
Detailed
3
Adequate
but some
attention to
detail
missing
2
1
0
Significant
Minimal
No
details
information information
missing
Detailed
Adequate
but some
attention to
detail
missing
Significant
Minimal
No
details
information information
missing
Detailed
Adequate
but some
attention to
detail
missing
Significant
Minimal
No
details
information information
missing
Detailed
Adequate
but some
attention to
detail
missing
Significant
Minimal
No
details
information information
missing
Very
detailed
Detailed
Adequate
but some
attention to
detail
missing
Significant
Minimal
No
details
information information
missing
Opinion
very
detailed,
reflective,
with use
of
evidence
Detailed,
with
some use
of
evidence
Adequate
and some
justification
given
Very
detailed
Very
detailed
Very
detailed
Some
opinion
given but
not fully
justified
Opinion
given with No opinion
no
given
justification