Which energy source is most efficient?

Wind, the most efficient fuel for electricity, creates 1164% of its original energy inputs when converted into electricity; on the other end of the efficiency spectrum, coal retains just 29% of its original energy.

What is the cheapest energy source?

And there is some very good news for the planet: Solar and wind power, at the scale that a major utility would deploy them, are now the cheapest form of power. They’re a bit less expensive than natural gas-fired power plants and considerably cheaper than coal and nuclear.

How many solar panels equal a nuclear power plant?

FOOTPRINT IS SMALL

To put that in perspective, you would need more than 3 million solar panels to produce the same amount of power as a typical commercial reactor or more than 430 wind turbines (capacity factor not included).

Do solar panels produce nuclear waste?

To give you the gist of it, this study, conducted by environmental journalists who favor nuclear power found that solar panels (over their lifetime) create somewhere in the region of 300 times more toxic waste per unit of energy than nuclear power plants.

Is the sun nuclear energy?

The sun is like a big nuclear submarine in the sky. That’s right, it’s fueled by nuclear reactions that fuse hydrogen atoms together into helium and other heavier elements, releasing huge amounts of energy in the process.

What are 5 examples of nuclear energy?

How many nuclear bombs equal the sun?

To put the Earth into the Sun, you’d have to change the energy of its orbit by an appreciable fraction of its current energy, so you’d need roughly E/Ebomb = (3 x 1033)/(4 x 1015) bombs, or roughly 1018 megaton bombs, i.e., a billion billion big bombs.

What happens if a nuclear power plant is bombed?

The blast creates a large fireball and a mushroom cloud of dust and particles. The fireball produces temperatures up to millions of degrees, shock waves similar to a large earthquake, flashes similar to lightning and intense radiation. The mushroom cloud carries radioactive materials from the bomb into the air.

Can you survive a nuclear bomb in a house?

You must protect yourself from the fallout or you’ll have a short life. If you’re in a stable structure such as a basement or fire staircase, you can shelter in place for a few days, if necessary. If your building is destroyed, you’ll need to move to a nearby intact structure. Block all the doors, windows and air gaps.

Where in the US would a nuclear bomb hit?

Dr. Redlener identified six cities that have the greatest likelihood of being attacked: New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston. Only New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles’ emergency management websites give ways to respond to a radioactive disaster.

What is the safe distance from a nuclear blast?

Survive DURING

This will help provide protection from the blast, heat, and radiation of the detonation. When you have reached a safe place, try to maintain a distance of at least six feet between yourself and people who are not part of your household.

Where is the safest place to be during a nuclear war?

The most safe areas in the US in a nuclear war include the upper Midwest, Maine, West Texas, and multiple small pockets, usually in areas that don’t have large populations. The most unsafe areas include most of the East Coast and anywhere near a major city, a key infrastructure location, or military installation.

What to do if a nuke is coming?

Move to a shelter, basement, or other underground area, preferably located away from the direction that the wind is blowing. Remove clothing since it may be contaminated; if possible, take a shower, wash your hair, and change clothes before you enter the shelter.

What cities would be nuked first?

The cities that would most likely be attacked are Washington, New York City and Los Angeles. Using a van or SUV, the device could easily be delivered to the heart of a city and detonated. The effects and response planning from a nuclear blast are determined using statics from Washington, the most likely target.

Can Russian missiles reach us?

New START limits all Russian deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons, including every Russian nuclear warhead that is loaded onto an intercontinental-range ballistic missile that can reach the United States in approximately 30 minutes.

What should I stockpile for nuclear war?

It should include bottled water, packaged foods, emergency medicines, a hand-crank or battery- powered radio to get information in case power is out, a flashlight, and extra batteries for essential items. If possible, store supplies for three or more days.

How long would it take for the Earth to recover from nuclear war?

Recovery would probably take about 3-10 years, but the Academy’s study notes that long term global changes cannot be completely ruled out. The reduced ozone concentrations would have a number of consequences outside the areas in which the detonations occurred.