MY RESEARCH:

What is nuclear energy?The nuclear cycle is a complicated process. So let’s keep it simple. Most energy is created by some sort of steam power. When water boils, the steam pushes turbines that make your car start, your lights flick on and your stove light. Currently, most (78 per cent) of Australia’s water is boiled by coal. Coal, as a fossil fuel, creates greenhouse emissions.So…nuclear energy is a way to boil water without producing greenhouse emissions.How is nuclear energy made?Nuclear energy is derived from uranium. Currently, 30 per cent of the world’s uranium reserves are in Australia, followed at a distant second by Kazakhstan on 17 per cent. There are eight uranium mines in place throughout Australia.Once uranium is mined, it undergoes a refining process, where the uranium is ground, sifted and enriched. Once all of the energy from the uranium is used, it becomes nuclear waste and is stored in various ways (check out the nuclear waste fact sheet by kellyendo for more on this process).So are we on nuclear energy?No. Most of the energy in Australia is supplied by burning coal or petrol. All of the uranium mined in Australia is exported. But if you’re worried about Australia supplying the tools to make nuclear weapons, don’t be. Each country that buys uranium from Australia must sign an agreement that the uranium will be used only for peaceful purposes (like generating energy).Why aren’t we using our own uranium?Australia is in the midst of a debate about our nuclear policy. In June 2006 Prime Minister John Howard set up a taskforce to review uranium mining, processing and nuclear energy in Australia. The taskforce released a draft report in November 2006 which received over 230 public submissions. A final report , taking into account public feedback, was then released. In responding to the report, the Prime Minister said it was clear that nuclear power was part of the solution to our future energy needs and the challenge of climate change. It was something the government would consider in the future, he said. Those who are for a nuclear Australia commonly argue that the introduction of nuclear energy is cleaner. It could possibly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the environment. Nuclear energy could also provide a cheaper solution to rising petrol prices and could create jobs for thousands of people. Those who are opposed commonly say that nuclear power would not cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly. Scientists says that only five per cent of emissions would be cut by 2050, which is well below the target number that has been set to reduce climate change. The opposition also cites nuclear disasters, such as the Chernobyl power plant meltdown in the late 1980s, and argues that such a disaster could happen again. Others worry that if Australia goes nuclear, our uranium supply could run out in less than 60 years.

My Questions
1. How much power does it take to power a full sized car?
2. How do solar pannels turn the suns rays into power?
3. What are solar pannels made of?
4. What races are there for solar powered cars?
5. Who made the first solar powered car?
6. who invented the solar panel?

What are solar panels made of?

Photovoltaics are made out of gallium arsenide (GaAs). GaAs is made into a cylinder that is then sliced into cells. These solar cells are then connected to the rest of the power network. Solar concentrators, made of clear plastic, are placed above them to focus the Sun's rays.

how do solar pannels turn the suns rays into power?

Photovoltaics, or PV for short, is a solar power technology that uses solar cells or sola photovoltaic arrays to convert light from the sun into electricity. Photovoltaics is also the field of study relating to this technology and there are many research institutes devoted to work on photovoltaics.The manufacture of photovoltaic cells has expanded dramatically in recent years.Total nominal 'peak power' of installed solar PV arrays was around 3,700 MW as of the end of 2005, a 42% annual increase,and most of this consisted of grid-connected applications.

Solar power

My model is going to be a solar powered car
my questions:
1. how much power does it take to power a full sized car?
2. how do solar pannels turn the suns rays into power?
3. what are solar pannels made of?
so far thats all i have.

i havent created my blog