I’m working on a physics writing question and need a sample draft to help me study.
- The problem of nuclear waste involves both physics and politics. How likely do you think it is that the nuclear waste disposal issue can be solved? Do politicians have the political will to solve it? Are the scientific aspects of it solved or are they also still up for debate? Write at least 350 words total in response to these questions.
- There are dozens of nuclear isotopes that are used for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The are generally created in nuclear reactors (often called “research” or “medical” reactors). They have short half-lives and many can be disposed of safely in the sink after a period of time that is at most a few months. Do an online search, choose an isotope and write at least 300 words about its medical uses and dangers. Some good options are: Barium, Technetium, Iodine. Make sure you mention which isotope of the particular element you are discussing. (For instance, there are seven different isotopes of Iodine, they all have different uses, one is not radioactive, not all of the others have a medical usage.) Non radioactive aspects of a particular agent are irrelevant for this question, focus on the uses of radiation.
- The big problem with (high-temperature) fusion power plants at this point is the issue of “break even”, ie. that it takes more power to start the reaction than is produced. Do an online search to look at one of the major paths to fusion power and discuss the basic technology of how that path would work and write about why “break-even” is difficult for that path. Also write about nuclear waste issues for fusion power. There are two main technologies, one is called “Inertial Confinement Fusion”, the other is “Magnetic Confinement Fusion”.
- The nuclear non-proliferation treaty guarantees that signatories can do research on peaceful nuclear energy (power plants and medical uses). Write at least 400 words about the Iran nuclear agreement and its relationship to non-proliferation issues. What are the consequences of having the U.S. pull itself out of the treaty while it remains in force in Iran and Europe?


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