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Mar 22 2011

How a Nuclear Meltdown Works

36 min 1 movie discussed
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The recent disaster in Japan has caused massive damage and killed thousands -- but that's not all: The Fukushima nuclear plant may possibly be on the verge of a meltdown. Tune in to learn how meltdowns work, and what a meltdown would mean for Japan.

AI Summary

Josh and Chuck dive into the nuclear crisis unfolding at Japan's Fukushima power plant following the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami. They break down how nuclear reactors work, why the Mark I boiling water reactors lost their cooling systems when backup generators were flooded, and what happens when fuel rods overheat and create dangerous hydrogen gas explosions. The hosts also explain radiation measurements, compare this disaster to previous nuclear incidents like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, and address the real risks versus media hype surrounding radioactive material potentially reaching other countries.


Movies Discussed

The China Syndrome
The China Syndrome
1979 2h 2m
★ 7.1
"China syndrome didn't help much — Josh mentioned this film as contributing to public fear about nuclear power after the Three Mile Island incident." — Josh

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