reasons why real man don't drive electric cars

[Ultima]

<< I was kidding... I do wonder what happens if a fusion reaction goes out of control or is that not really a concern at all... I'm too ignorant to
know that, maybe someone more educated >>



Well fusion nuclear bombs can create blasts of 1 megaton and bigger...

I think the key behind fusion is that the atoms are fused in small quantities at a time to prevent a blast from occuring. The atoms are held in a plasma by strong magnets or something, and if the magnets fail theres not enough material for a nuclear explosion, the most that would happen is a lot of damage to the plant itself. So I guess someone would have to sabotage the plant in order to create a blast. This would be a big threat and since 9/11 I'm sure there would be plenty of security personnel.

The amount of power we could get from fusion is practically limitless. The sun's been heating the entire solar system using fusion for billions of years

 

[SsZERO]

The way our existing power plants control the reaction is by using control rods. Lowering the rods into the reactor will slow reaction, thus reducing heat. Removing the rods will increase reaction and heat. Fusion would most likely not be regulated by rods, but some similar method of reaction rate control would be used to keep things from going boom. Cold fusion would probably be more practical for us, because the temperatures needed to achieve the fusion that powers our sun are very very high.

-= SsZERO =-



<< Well fusion nuclear bombs can create blasts of 1 megaton and bigger...

I think the key behind fusion is that the atoms are fused in small quantities at a time to prevent a blast from occuring. The atoms are held in a plasma by strong magnets or something, and if the magnets fail theres not enough material for a nuclear explosion, the most that would happen is a lot of damage to the plant itself. So I guess someone would have to sabotage the plant in order to create a blast. This would be a big threat and since 9/11 I'm sure there would be plenty of security personnel.

The amount of power we could get from fusion is practically limitless. The sun's been heating the entire solar system using fusion for billions of years >>

 

[Jeff7]

<< Yeah, GREAT idea. I was waiting for the dumb kid to suggest fusion...even more practical than batteries, not to mention a whole lot safer.

-= SsZERO =-



<< So are you being sarcastic or are you really a dumb kid?

Nuclear Fusion should be the answer to this in not too long from now (hopefully). Nuclear energy without waste! Now that would be something... >>

>>




Why's fusion such a dumb idea? We've already created fusion reactions. We just need to hone the methods used so that the reactions will produce more energy than they require to get started and to maintain. Fusion reactors would also be a lot easier to fuel than fission reactors. In terms of an explosion, I don't think that a fusion plant could explode unless it was specifically designed to do so in the event of a problem. A control failure would likely cause the reaction to emit an incredible amount of heat which could cause considerable damage to the power plant. However, the threat of radioactive contaminiation would not be a problem.


Someone mentioned that power plants produce pollutants to produce electricity to charge cars. Well, the process of extracting and refining oil will also require considerable power, and when the result(gas) is burned, there's more pollution. Better to just use the electricty to directly power the cars.


No global warming? First off, I will dispell a myth: global warming doesn't mean it will be hotter everywhere all the time. It means that weather patterns will change. A slight increase in temperatures over a large ocean means that there's a lot more water evaporating. This leads to more volitile climates. Like here in PA. It was in the mid 60's here for a few days in a row. Then, wake up next day and it is about 20 degrees. 65 degrees in January in PA is NOT a normal thing.



Yeah man, people in Toronto and LA are dropping like flies from all this air pollution. We should just stop industry, stop driving and hold our breath. Do you know what smog is? Solid particulates...aka dust. I suppose you never stopped to think as to why you can SEE smog...and do you know what happens to dust? It settles on the ground. Diesel engines look really dirty, but the black smoke they chug out doesn't stay in the air. Sure it's not good to breath it in, but how many people drive cars that release dust in the exhaust? OH! That means the smog isn't cause by all those evil cars!!

People are getting sick from the pollution. Do you know what smog is, SsZero? Seems not. Smog is water vapor that has become contaminated with various pollutants introduced by industry and vehicles.


More evidence for global warming: Antarctica's ice shelves are thinning and breaking off in huge chunks.

Lot more good stuff in here, but it's rather late, so this will have to suffice for now.

 

[SsZERO]

<< Why's fusion such a dumb idea? We've already created fusion reactions. We just need to hone the methods used so that the reactions will produce more energy than they require to get started and to maintain. Fusion reactors would also be a lot easier to fuel than fission reactors. In terms of an explosion, I don't think that a fusion plant could explode unless it was specifically designed to do so in the event of a problem. A control failure would likely cause the reaction to emit an incredible amount of heat which could cause considerable damage to the power plant. However, the threat of radioactive contaminiation would not be a problem. >>



We cleared this up already. Try reading the WHOLE thread before making your insightful contributions...:disgust: oh and, fusion reactions do emit radiation. Just because fusion does not produce waste does not mean it doesn't produce radiation. I guess you didn't realize that about the Sun, for instance.



<< Someone mentioned that power plants produce pollutants to produce electricity to charge cars. Well, the process of extracting and refining oil will also require considerable power, and when the result(gas) is burned, there's more pollution. Better to just use the electricty to directly power the cars. >>



You are not adding anything new.




<< No global warming? First off, I will dispell a myth: global warming doesn't mean it will be hotter everywhere all the time. It means that weather patterns will change. A slight increase in temperatures over a large ocean means that there's a lot more water evaporating. This leads to more volitile climates. Like here in PA. It was in the mid 60's here for a few days in a row. Then, wake up next day and it is about 20 degrees. 65 degrees in January in PA is NOT a normal thing. >>



I'm not even going to bother with this one. Hey, wanna buy my time machine??




<< Yeah man, people in Toronto and LA are dropping like flies from all this air pollution. We should just stop industry, stop driving and hold our breath. Do you know what smog is? Solid particulates...aka dust. I suppose you never stopped to think as to why you can SEE smog...and do you know what happens to dust? It settles on the ground. Diesel engines look really dirty, but the black smoke they chug out doesn't stay in the air. Sure it's not good to breath it in, but how many people drive cars that release dust in the exhaust? OH! That means the smog isn't cause by all those evil cars!!

People are getting sick from the pollution. Do you know what smog is, SsZero? Seems not. Smog is water vapor that has become contaminated with various pollutants introduced by industry and vehicles. >>



Finally, something that hasn't been said...................oh..........nevermind.



<< More evidence for global warming: Antarctica's ice shelves are thinning and breaking off in huge chunks.

Lot more good stuff in here, but it's rather late, so this will have to suffice for now. >>



Yeah, that's evidence for ya!! Good enough for you, more than good enough for me!

 

[gwlam12]

i want the toyota prius