# A country currently generates most of its electricity by burning fossil fuels. The government is considering switching to nuclear power. Describe two advantages and one disadvantage of using nuclear power compared with fossil fuels for large-scale electricity generation.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) — 4.3 Energy resources and electricity generation · Describe · 4 marks

> Many countries rely on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas to meet the majority of their electricity demand. Nuclear power stations use radioactive material to generate electricity on a large scale.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Advantage 1: Nuclear power does not release greenhouse gases (during operation), so does not contribute to global warming (unlike fossil fuels which do).
2. Advantage 2: A small amount of radioactive material produces a large amount of energy, making nuclear power highly energy-dense / suitable for large-scale supply.
3. Disadvantage: Nuclear power produces highly toxic nuclear waste that must be stored safely underground for many years.
4. Quality of comparison: The answer must explicitly link the advantage or disadvantage to a contrast with fossil fuels (e.g. fossil fuels do release greenhouse gases; fossil fuels do not produce nuclear waste).

## Key terms

- [fossil fuels](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fossil-fuels)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-country-currently-generates-most-of-36076168) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.