The US uses nuclear power aircraft carriers. Is this efficient? What are the drawbacks? Could the same systems theoretically be used in cars?
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Nuclear reactors are basically piles of radioactive material that gets hot. Heat boils water and water makes electricity. There’s plenty of water of course, and electricity is really useful for running everything, including the engines and ship systems like radar.
Nuclear fuel has a lot of energy in a relatively small amount of material. This means that the nuclear reactor can last literally years without needing any refuelling.
There were proposals to make nuclear cars but never got past the concept stage. Trouble is, nuclear power is expensive, and potentially dangerous if mishandled.
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