Chernobyl: What Really Happened?

This text excerpted from Richard Rhodes' book, Nuclear Renewal and reprinted on the FRONTLINE Web site examines the causes of the Chernobyl accident.

Energy Sources

This video segment produced for Teachers' Domain illustrates a variety of energy sources used to generate electricity, some of which are in use and some of which are under exploration.

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Facts About Radiation

This document from the FRONTLINE Web site offers examples of everyday exposure to radiation.

FAQs About Nuclear Power

Nuclear physicist, Dr. Charles Till, answers questions about nuclear power in this interview from the FRONTLINE Web site.

Fusion: Testing the First Hydrogen Device

This video segment adapted from AMERICAN EXPERIENCE features original footage of the U.S. test of the first hydrogen device, code-named "Mike", that would trigger thermonuclear fusion.

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Fusion: The Hydrogen Bomb

Just after World War II, nuclear scientists turned their attention from fission to fusion. This video segment adapted from AMERICAN EXPERIENCE looks at the beginnings of thermonuclear power generation.

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Get Close to a Nuclear Fission Reaction!

Learn how scientists regulate a nuclear reactor in this animation-enhanced essay from the FRONTLINE Web site.

Global Warming: Beyond Fossil Fuels

Martin Hoffert, professor of physics at New York University, discusses global warming and alternative energies in this interview from the NOVA/FRONTLINE Web site.

Nuclear Blast Damage

This illustrated document from the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Web site examines the "zones of destruction" caused by nuclear weapons.

Nuclear Blast Footage

These video clips from the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Web site feature actual footage of thermonuclear blast testing done in the 1950s.

Nuclear Reaction: Fission

This video segment adapted from FRONTLINE looks at nuclear fission as an energy source that can be used to generate electricity.

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Nuclear Reaction: Meltdown

What happens when a nuclear reactor overheats? This video segment adapted from FRONTLINE looks at the nuclear reactor meltdown at Chernobyl, the worst accident of its kind.

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Nuclear Reaction: Plutonium

One by-product of nuclear fission is plutonium. This video segment adapted from FRONTLINE takes a look at this toxic element.

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Nuclear Reaction: Searching for Safety

This text excerpted from Beyond Engineering: How Society Shapes Technology by Robert Pool and reprinted on the FRONTLINE Web site looks at the impact of nuclear power.

Nuclear Reaction: Three Mile Island

This video segment adapted from AMERICAN EXPERIENCE examines the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history.

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Nuclear Waste: Yucca Mountain

What happens to nuclear waste? This video segment adapted from FRONTLINE explores the controversy surrounding the United States' first nuclear repository site.

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Three Mile Island: What Happened

This interactive activity from the AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Web site looks at the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history.