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WorksheetsLet's go nuclear!
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 20mins
How did communist ideology lay the foundations for Chernobyl?
The flawed reactor design: compromises were made to save costs
It encouraged the leaders to generate power to sell at high prices
Centralised decision making: critical decisions are made by small groups.
Poorly trained personnel, with little understanding of the design
The Chernobyl plant failed as the result of (a) errors in managing a complex nuclear plant. However, ideology was a relevant (b) term cause. The Soviet (c) was flawed. Firstly, the plant could generate sudden bursts of power. Secondly, the reactor was not enclosed. The design was (d) to construct and operate. However, it needed (e) trained technicians. The USSR system provided inadequate training and safety measures.
What happened after the explosion?
The government was closed and secretive.
The government openly disclosed the explosion.
Place the factors relating to Chernobyl in the correct chronological order.
The plant design was flawed.
The operatives were poorly trained and not motivated.
The explosion killed 300 workers
Emergency crews tried to contain the explosion using water, then sand and boron
The USSR did not disclose the explosion: Sweden detected the radiation.
The design flaws were known. Why did the plant continue?
Centralised government: Moscow made slow decisions, based on broader concerns.
No-one cared. The workers are replaceable.
The Soviet Government regarded publicising a (a) disaster as a political risk. The Soviets at first denied the (b) , then made a brief statement three days after the (c) in April 1986. The centralised government allowed coordination of (d) efforts, such as helicopter drops of sand and boron. However, the lack of openness affected citizens. E.g. Children drank contaminated milk, correlating to increased rates of (e) cancer.
So... How did communist ideology influence the response to Chernobyl?
Central control = easy coordination
Secretive, unwilling to disclose failure
Slow to respond
Able to evacuate with little resistance
Let's turn to Fukushima in 2023. Match the nation to their perspective.
Japan
We want to release some waste water
Korea
What about the seafood?
China
Official protest! Seafood banned
USA
Follow the science: support Japan
This nation claims the release is reckless, and treats the Pacific as a private sewer.
(a)
What European country has followed China's lead, and banned seafood imports?
Germany
France
Russia
Britain
South Korea's position is slightly different to China. Select the reasons why.
South Korea wants to improve trade Japan.
South Korea's scientists accept the UN watchdog findings
South Korea's people rallied to protest, creating internal pressure.
South Korea is smaller and sweeter.
Japan has given several reasons to release the water. Select the correct ones.
Scientific tests have proven tritium has no effect whatsoever.
Releasing water is part of the plan to decommission (shut down) the plant.
Storage space is running out.
T or F: South Korea has now ended its bans on importing seafood from Japan.
true
false
T or F: The International Atomic Energy Agency approved the release of the radioactive waste water.
True
False
Protestors fear that marine life will die and seafood will be contaminated. Are these possibilities, or simply a fears held by the ignorant? Give reasons for your answer.
