The author of "Physics for Future Presidents" returns to educate readers on the most crucial conundrum facing the nation: energy.

Learn the science behind the headlines in this work that outlines the tools of terrorists, the dangers of nuclear power, and the reality of global warming.

The author of Physics for Future Presidents returns to educate all of us on the most crucial conundrum facing the nation: energy. The near-meltdown of Fukushima, the upheavals in the Middle East, the BP oil rig explosion, and the looming reality of global warming have reminded the president and all U.S. citizens that nothing has more impact on our lives than the supply of and demand for energy. Its procurement dominates our economy and foreign policy more than any other factor. But the “energy question” is more confusing, contentious, and complicated than ever before. We need to know if nuclear power will ever really be safe. We need to know if solar and wind power will ever really be viable. And we desperately need to know if the natural gas deposits in Pennsylvania are a windfall of historic proportions or a false hope that will create more problems than solutions. Richard A. Muller provides all the answers in this must-read guide to our energy priorities now and in the coming years.

A San Francisco Chronicle Bestseller We live in complicated, dangerous times. Present and future presidents need to know if North Korea's nascent nuclear capability is a genuine threat to the West, if biochemical weapons are likely to be developed by terrorists, if there are viable alternatives to fossil fuels that should be nurtured and supported by the government, if private companies should be allowed to lead the way on space exploration, and what the actual facts are about the worsening threats from climate change. This is "must-have" information for all presidents—and citizens—of the twenty-first century. Winner of the 2009 Northern California Book Award for General Nonfiction. Images in this eBook are not displayed due to permissions issues.

Learn the science behind the headlines in this work that outlines the tools of terrorists, the dangers of nuclear power, and the reality of global warming. 50 illustrations.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The 2011 earthquake in Japan struck the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which was designed to withstand a large earthquake, but not a 50-foot tsunami. The reactor was severely damaged, and many feared that the uranium inside would explode like an atomic bomb. #2 A nuclear bomb is made when a nuclear reactor blows up. In a nuclear reactor, the uranium is typically only 4 percent U-235, with the rest consisting of heavy uranium, U-238. The chain reaction never gets going unless a trick is employed. #3 At Fukushima, the most modern reactors did not need auxiliary cooling systems, but the most damaged reactors did. The most modern reactors do not depend on auxiliary power systems to keep them cool, but the most damaged reactors did. #4 Following the Fukushima nuclear accident, radioactive iodine and cesium were released. These two elements are the most dangerous because they decay quickly, releasing radiation as they go.

The transition to renewable energy is vital and fast-paced, but how do we choose which technologies to drive this energy transition? This timely book provides everyone interested in the renewable energy transition with an introduction to and technical foundation for understanding modern energy technology. It traces everyday power generation through history, from the Industrial Revolution to today. It examines the use of wood, coal, oil, natural gas, hydro, and nuclear to produce energy, before discussing renewable energy sources such as biomass, photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, wind, wave, and geothermal. The book examines to what extent and how each technology can contribute to a clean, green infrastructure. The Truth About Energy explains the science and engineering of energy to help everyone understand and compare current and future advances in renewable energy, providing the context to critically examine the different technologies that are competing in a fast-evolving engineering, political, and economic landscape.