Why is nuclear fission not likely to be used
directly for powering automobiles?
1. Nuclear reactions are harmful for the en-
vironment.
2. We haven’t found a good way to control
nuclear fission.
3. A fission reactor has a critical mass. Its
minimum size is too large to power a small
vehicle.
4. The power generated by nuclear fission is
enormous and cannot be reduced to meet the
needs of one automobile.
5. External nuclear radioactivity can harm
the driver.