Explain why nuclear power stations are considered by some people to be a good choice for generating electricity, and why others oppose their use. In your answer, refer to both the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Governments around the world are deciding how to meet future electricity demand while reducing carbon emissions. Nuclear power is one option being considered.
Model answer (5 marks)
Nuclear power is attractive because a very small amount of fuel releases a huge amount of energy, so electricity can be produced from a small physical footprint. During normal operation the reactors emit almost no carbon dioxide, which means they do not directly add to climate‑change gases. They also operate continuously, providing a reliable baseload supply that is not dependent on weather.
However, nuclear plants produce long‑lived radioactive waste that is difficult and expensive to store safely. The risk of a serious accident, such as a release of radioactive material, can cause widespread harm to people and wildlife. These safety and waste concerns are the main reasons some people oppose nuclear power.
However, nuclear plants produce long‑lived radioactive waste that is difficult and expensive to store safely. The risk of a serious accident, such as a release of radioactive material, can cause widespread harm to people and wildlife. These safety and waste concerns are the main reasons some people oppose nuclear power.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact phrases: "much more energy per kilogram", "do not produce carbon dioxide", "long‑lived radioactive waste", "risk of a nuclear accident", "reliable baseload supply".
- Show the contrast between advantages and disadvantages in separate sentences or bullet points.
- Include the climate‑change benefit and the reliability benefit.
- Mention the waste and accident risk as the main disadvantages.
Common mistakes
- Confusing nuclear with renewable energy, or saying nuclear produces CO₂; it does not during operation.
- Failing to mention the long‑lived waste or accident risk, or lumping all disadvantages together without distinction.
Mark scheme (5 marks)
- Nuclear fuel releases much more energy per kilogram than fossil fuels (or stated as: a small amount of fuel produces a large amount of energy)
- Nuclear power stations do not produce carbon dioxide (or greenhouse gases) during normal operation / do not contribute directly to climate change
- Nuclear power stations produce radioactive waste that is difficult to dispose of safely / remains hazardous for a very long time
- Risk of a nuclear accident could release radioactive material into the environment, causing harm to people and wildlife over a wide area
- Nuclear power stations are reliable / can generate electricity continuously regardless of weather conditions (unlike some renewable sources)
Related
- All WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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