What to replace the coal-fired power generation with?

Green energy is supposed to come from “natural” sources – renewable ones which allow for the reduction of the amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants emitted to the atmosphere in order to mitigate negative climate change. Can nuclear energy be counted as one of such sources? The lecture will address in an accessible way the physical basics of nuclear energy and reasons why the nuclear reactor can not explode like an “atomic” bomb. 

Are nuclear plants safe? What about the radioactive waste? Can a human cause a failure like in 1986 today? Is it radiologically safer to live next to a nuclear power plant or to move to Zakopane? Will we get a higher dose of radiation from high-level waste or from sleeping in a bed rather than on the floor? We will try to find answers to these and other similar questions. 

Dr Paweł Janowski 
Nuclear physicist working at the Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, where he manages the Laboratory of Physical Demonstrations as a teaching assistant professor. Scientifically, he has been focused on radioactivity in the environment. His research activity at the Polish Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Nuclear Physics concerned concentration measurements of radioactive iodine and cesium in the air after nuclear explosions and failures of reactors. Such substances and their applications always have been in his area of interests, which has led him to study physics. Today, in turn, one of his life goals is to make the knowledge on radioactivity more accessible.  

Dr Paweł Janowski’s achievements in the field of the popularisation of science are extensive, which is confirmed by the distinctions he has received – Krzysztof Ernst Medal for Popularization of Physics, Prof. Takliński Award, or qualifying to the final of the Populariser of Science competition organised by the Polish Press Agency. His dissemination activity encompasses lectures full of demonstrations and experiments which he delivers for everyone, from kindergarteners to students of the University of the Third Age. What is more, he gives radio interviews, makes videos, and designs interactive exhibitions in the Museum of the AGH University. Nuclear physics always occupies a special place in them, as he brings it closer to people with the use of his nuclear suitcase, the content of which often comes as a surprise to his listeners. According to him, the century-old school model discourages from discovering the laws of nature. Popular lectures, on the other hand, can be a break from the rigid programme, proving that science is not a difficult subject at school, but in fact it consists in uncovering the world's secrets and applying them to life. In addition to his fascination with the surrounding world, he can also provide the listeners with a certain leaven of knowledge, with the help of which they themselves will entice others to develop a passion in such a direction.