How Nuclear Reactors Work, And How They Fail
Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant, March 14, 2011 DigitalGlobe via Getty ImagesSeveral of Japan's nuclear power plants are experiencing serious damage from the earthquake and ensuing tsunami. Here's what you need to know to understand the news, as it happens Several of Japan's nuclear power plants, especially the Fukushima Naiishi plant in northeastern Japan, are experiencing serious problems in the wake of Friday's earthquake and tsunami. If you've been following the news, you've seen some pretty alarming stuff going on at this plant--terms like "explosion," "partial meltdown," "evacuation," and "radiation exposure." These are scary stories due to the difficulty in getting solid information from a frantically chaotic scene, and also because nuclear power is complex and largely not understood by the general public. Here's what you need to know to be able to understand and keep up with the news unfolding in Japan. What Is a Nuclear Reaction? A nuclear reaction is at...