Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: China
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Nuclear power plants are a critical part of the global energy mix, and modern designs focus strongly on safety and the prevention of catastrophic accidents such as core meltdowns. This question asks about the Sanmen Nuclear Power Station, which gained attention as one of the world's first nuclear plants using advanced safety designs aimed at making a meltdown extremely unlikely. Knowing which country is implementing such technology is an important part of contemporary general knowledge.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The Sanmen Nuclear Power Station is associated with advanced Generation III reactor technology, particularly the AP1000 design. While the AP1000 reactors were originally developed by a company based in the United States of America, the first commercial deployment of these reactors occurred in China. Therefore, the correct approach is to recall that Sanmen is a location in China and match this information with the option list.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that Sanmen is not a place in India, Russia, or the United States of America, but rather a coastal location in China.
Step 2: Recall news about China constructing and commissioning the first AP1000 based nuclear power reactors at Sanmen.
Step 3: Understand that these reactors were widely described as having advanced passive safety systems designed to prevent core meltdown under a wide range of conditions.
Step 4: Among the options, identify China as the country that is actually building and launching the Sanmen Nuclear Power Station.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is China.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification is to recall that many reports mention cooperation between Chinese nuclear utilities and foreign reactor design firms for this project. However, the physical plant site and its operation are under Chinese control and located in Zhejiang province in China. Since no other country in the list hosts a nuclear station called Sanmen, the conclusion that it is in China is consistent and well supported by factual references.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
India does have its own nuclear programme and several power stations, but none of them is named Sanmen Nuclear Power Station. The United States of America designed the AP1000 reactor technology but did not launch the first plant of this type under the Sanmen name. Russia similarly operates many nuclear plants but not this particular one. Hence, these countries do not match the description given in the question, making them incorrect choices.
Common Pitfalls:
One common confusion is to select the United States of America simply because the AP1000 technology originated there. Another pitfall is to associate advanced nuclear safety only with long established nuclear powers and overlook China's rapid expansion in nuclear energy. Students might also answer hastily without connecting the name Sanmen to its actual geographical location in China.
Final Answer:
The Sanmen Nuclear Power Station that is designed to be immune to meltdown is being launched by China.
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