2006-10-23 06:47:46 · 6 answers · asked by MN S 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Here you go. This is a great article about how the car manufactuers actually made up plans for making an atomic car back in the 50's.
http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=656
2006-10-23 07:16:48 · answer #1 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The reason being that the only form of nuclear energy we can use right now is fission. Fission requires the use of a Uranium or Plutonium fuel. Due to government regulations, there is no way that they would allow this because it would pose a threat to national security. For instance, terrrorists could buy thousands of cars and collect all of the Pu or U and post some serious radiation contamination threats. Also, if someone were to get into a car accident and the core were to break, it would create some serious issues. Even if we were to control the two afore mentioned issues, we would still have to find a way to have the reactors start up and shut down safely without having any issues. If we could solve that problem, then we wouldn't have any workers or operators at nuclear power plants.
Having a Master's in Nuclear Engineering and being a former Reactor Engineer at a power plant, I have the background for answering this question.
2006-10-26 12:47:33 · answer #2 · answered by Ryan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greetings!
The only use-able source of energy from nuclear fission (the non bomb type) is heat. Thus you could use that heat in a steam generated vehicle, quite easily.
When first harnessed years ago, it was envisioned that not only would cars but entire households run off a nuclear unit.
It was abandoned because to create the fission safely (using a proton) was to costly for the end user, Much like hydrogen powered vehicles.
Good luck
2006-10-23 13:54:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
It is not done because the material is too dangerous to place in the hands of the general populace. Accidents happen, and a vehicle driven by nuclear energy runs the risk of killing nearby thousands.
Our society has trouble sometimes even transporting Petroleum, Chlorine or Sulpher. Fissionable material is incredibly far more deadly.
2006-10-23 13:58:32 · answer #4 · answered by warmspirited 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not yet. One day, controlled nuclear fusion will become a reality, then we can produce as much hydrogen as we like from water) and burn that in our automobiles - the only by-product then being water. An end to global warming.
2006-10-23 14:18:43 · answer #5 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For gawd's sake... Where would you get it from anyhow?
Stick to promoting alcohol, and cooking oil
2006-10-23 13:55:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋