Coal Energy vs. Nuclear Energy

A power plant converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Coal and nuclear power plants heat water to its boiling point and use the steam to spin turbines that generate electricity. Both types of plant have major impacts on the environment.

Coal

Almost half of the electricity in the United States is produced by coal. In a coal fired power plant, the coal is burned to boil water and generate steam. The steam spins a turbine which produces electricity.

Environmental Impact of Coal

Burning coal produces mercury, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. Coal power plants are associated with smog, acid rain and global warming.

Uranium

Nuclear plants are powered by enriched uranium pellets. Each 1-inch pellet can produce the same amount of energy as 1 ton of coal. There can be as much as 100 tons of pellets located at each reactor.

Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear power plants create electricity through a process called fission in which subatomic particles called neutrons split uranium atoms, producing tremendous amounts of energy. The energy is absorbed by water which boils into steam. The steam spins a turbine which generates electrical power.

Environmental Impact of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power plants don't produce the air pollution associated with coal, but they do produce a variety of radioactive waste products. Radioactive waste products such as spent fuel can remain a radioactive threat for thousands of years.

References

• EPA: Nuclear Power Plants
• Encyclopedia.com: Nuclear Energy
• Encyclopedia.com: Coal
• U.S Energy Information Administration: Use of Coal
• U.S. Energy Information Administration: Coal and the Environment
• U.S. Energy Information Administration: Nuclear Power and the Environment