Which statement is true regarding coal-fired plants compared to nuclear plants?

The statement regarding coal-fired plants releasing more than 100 times more radioactivity is based on a misunderstanding of the nature of radioactivity and the emissions from both coal and nuclear plants. Coal-fired power plants do emit some naturally occurring radioactive materials, primarily due to the presence of uranium and thorium in coal, but the overall radioactivity released is significantly lower than that from nuclear power plants, which actively process radioactive materials for energy.

Coal-fired plants primarily contribute to air pollution through the combustion of coal, releasing various harmful pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, along with greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Nuclear plants, on the other hand, do not produce these emissions in the same way since they generate energy through nuclear fission, which does not involve burning fossil fuels.

Now looking at the correct statement: Coal-fired plants contribute to acid rain through the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which combine with moisture in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acid. Nuclear plants, by contrast, do not produce these emissions, thereby avoiding this specific environmental issue. This distinction highlights the differing environmental impacts of these energy sources.