Assess the projects on a 1 to 5 scale using the table.

 

	Project 1	Project 2	Project 3
Importance
Practicability
Cost-effectiveness

 

 

TEXT 2

1. What current problem is this concept designed to solve?

2. What extra benefits will the laser technology bring?

3. What prevents this project from being realized?

 

Most nuclear scientists believe that in the future nuclear power will be supplied by fusion: a nuclear reaction in which two atoms are combined. One great benefit of controlling fusion for energy production is that the process is relatively clean and safe. All that is needed for fuel is a small amount of hydrogen. In addition, the process does not leak dangerous radiation.

But starting a fusion reaction requires an enormous initial force. Many scientists think that "laser chains" can supply that force. A laser chain consists of several laser amplifiers over a hundred feet long, which intensify the power of laser beams. The high-powered beams are directed at a tiny fuel pellet* from all sides at once. This causes an explosion powerful enough to trigger a fusion reaction.

Experiments with lasers and fusion began in the late 1960s, but progress was slow for a long time. A major breakthrough occurred in 2001 when researchers from Japan and the UK succeeded in using a laser beam to compress a ball-like pellet of nuclear fuel. The beam, which generated temperatures of 10 million degrees centigrade, focused on the pellet, creating enormous pressure—about 10 million times that of Earth's atmosphere. The pressure caused the pellet to implode (collapse inward) and release energy. (1190)

 

* fuel pellet топливная таблетка

 

Assess the projects on a 1 to 5 scale using the table.

 

	Project 1	Project 2	Project 3
Importance
Practicability
Cost-effectiveness

 

 

TEXT 3

1. What current problem is this concept designed to solve?

2. What extra benefits will the laser technology bring?

3. What prevents this project from being realized?

 

The population of the world continues to grow rapidly, and more people create a demand for more energy. Today's major sources of energy are water power; the burning of coal, gas, and oil; and nuclear reactors. But all these methods may not be enough to supply the energy needs of the future.

The laser promises to open up new and seemingly endless stores of energy for humanity's use: the solar-powered satellite. The satellite will be rocketed into a special orbital position where it will always stay above a certain fixed point on Earth's surface. Once in position the satellite will begin gathering energy from sunlight. The energy will power a large laser that will direct a beam back to Earth where a receiver will collect the beam and convert it into electricity. If enough of these satellites can be put into orbit, a large share of Earth's energy needs will be met.

Some people worry that such a beam might be aimed in the wrong direction and cause death and destruction. As a matter of fact, the military has considered this method for making beam weapons. But ways will be found to adjust the power of the beam so that it will not do any damage. The time and money it will take to get these satellites orbiting will be worthwhile because sunlight is free. And because the sun is expected to shine for several billion more years, sunlight is also nearly inexhaustible*. (1376) 

 

inexhaustible неисчерпаемый

Assess the projects on a 1 to 5 scale using the table.

 

 

	Project 1	Project 2	Project 3
Importance
Practicability
Cost-effectiveness

 

Think of some common object or phenomenon (or ask your teacher for inspiration) and imagine what our life would be like without it. Let your groupmates guess what it is.

If we didn’t have (…)

If we didn’t have this, our shopping would take much longer.

If we didn’t have this, some medical manipulations would be more painful.

If we didn’t have this, we wouldn’t be able to create complex designs in mass production.

 

CONSOLIDATION

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