Unit 6

Atomic Cars

Question 1

How much do you know about nuclear energy?

Answer

Nuclear energy is produced by the splitting of atoms of uranium or heavier elements. Scientists try their best to apply nuclear energy to our daily life to solve the deteriorating energy crisis we are facing today.

Question 2

Please decide which of the following statements are true and which are false. These statements will help you understand the text better.

True or False

1)We get atomic energy from the splitting of the nucleus, or the central part, of the atom.

atomic fission

2) In producing atomic energy, the nuclear reactor or the atomic pile gives off a lot of harmful rays.

True or False

The rays are radioactive and may also be called “radiation”.

3) An atomic car would be very convenient to use but very expensive to keep.

It would be both convenient to use and cheap to keep, because a small piece of uranium can keep the car running for many, many years.

Organization & main ideas

Part 1 (1-2): _______ The problem is set forth clearly. Part 2 (3-7): _______ The possibility of making atomic cars is discussed. Part 3 (8): _______ The last sentence is an open-ended question

which the writer leaves for the reader to answer.

What is the text mainly about?

Decide which of the following statements best sums up the text.

A. It is possible to have an atomic car that is both economical and safe built in the distant future.

B. It is possible to have an atomic car made theoretically, but it is doubtful whether it would be both economical and safe.

C. It is possible to have an atomic car made cheaply with an ideal material, but it is doubtful whether it would be 100% safe.

Skim and scan the textAnswer pre-reading questions Summarize main ideas in each paragraph.

What are the benefits of driving atomic cars? When it comes to installing an atomic engine into

a car, what’s the opinion of the experts? What are the problems?

What kind of material is fit for atomic cars? How does the author demonstrate the problem of

safety? Why does the author end it with a question? What is the author’s attitude?

Part 1 (1-2)

This part is to set forth the problem.

Every motorist dreams of a car of the future that does not have to be refuelled every few hundred miles,

Please write on every other line. One tablet is to be taken every four hours.

because there is no outlay on petrol.

House buyers usually have a large initial outlay on carpets and furniture.

the weekly outlay on groceries

expense, cost gas, gasoline AmE

refuel, refill

They are ____. (word formation)

Part 2 (3-7)

This part is to discuss the possibility of making atomic cars.

Possibility of making atomic cars from the aspects of ______, ______, ______.

And, theoretically, he is right. concerned primarily with theories or

hypotheses rather than practical considerations

theoretical ， abstract ， academic ， hypothetical ， speculative

antonym: empirical

one small piece of uranium would keep the engine running for twenty or more years

But is this science-fiction-like picture of the atom exploding peacefully beneath the bonnet of a car possible?

British English the metal lid over the front of a car [= hood American English]

Paraphrase this sentence.

But is it possible for the atom to explode beneath the bonnet of a car without doing any harm to the people? For such a thing to happen is just like science fiction.

In theory it is, since already the atom has been harnessed to drive submarines, and an atomic engine is already in existence. omission

But, say the experts, there are many problems still to be conquered before such an engine can in fact be fixed into a car. Inversion

But the experts think that an engine like that cannot really be installed in a car until we have overcome many problems.

An atomic reactor, the kind of engine that would produce energy by atom-splitting, throws off radiation, extremely dangerous radiation.

When this material burns, it throws off a nasty smell and a lot of smoke.

It's taken me ages to throw off this cold. We ran flat out for about half a mile before we

could throw them off.

give off/out, send out

This radiation penetrates anything except the thickest concrete and lead, with fatal results for anybody in its path. A bullet can penetrate a wall. Science has penetrated the mysteries of nature. He penetrated into the secret. The arrow penetrated through the target The whole village is penetrated with fear.

pierce, see through, be filled with

a metal that will be strong enough to hold in the rays, but at the same time light enough for a vehicle to carry with ease and economy. Paraphrase the sentence.

… a metal that will not only be strong enough to prevent the rays from escaping, but at the same time will be so light in weight that any vehicle can carry it without too much difficulty and without costing too much money.

the motoring world will be well on the way to an atomic car.

It‘s getting late; we must be on our way. Our car broke down on the way to New York. It looks as if more trouble is on the way. Jack is well on the way to being a competent

computer programmer.

so much progress has been made that one is quite certain to achieve (sth.)

The motorists will almost be certain to have an atomic car.

The automobile industry will make great progress in the making of an atomic car

two other problems still remain, those of economics and safety.

We are better off now, but we still have to practice economy.

Economics was my favorite subject in college.

We will not change our policy of putting economic development above everything else.

Going by train is more economical than going by plane.

Part 3 (8)

The last part is conclusion.

Is it possible to make an atomic engine that will be really safe in every circumstance?

under all circumstance under (in) no circumstances under (in) the circumstance

The result was the best that could be expected in the circumstances.

Under no circumstances should you leave the room.

Dictation

Listen to the following passage. Altogether the passage will be read to you four times. During the first reading, which will be read at normal speed, listen and try to understand the meaning. For the second and third readings, the passage will be read sentence by sentence, or phrase by phrase, with intervals of 15 seconds. The last reading will be read at normal speed again and during this time you should check your work.

For more than one century scientists of different countries were trying to discover the secret of the atom. As a result of their fruitful research, atomic energy has found wide and varied application in our life. The present-day resources of coal and oil cannot last for more than several hundred years, while the atom is the cheapest source of energy and its supplies are practically unlimited. The resources of uranium and thorium 钍 from which the nuclear fuel is chiefly obtained can provide for the world’s power needs for hundreds of centuries. Nuclear energy may be used to light and heat our homes, drive our machines and operate our factories. In fact, there is hardly any sphere of life where the atom may not find useful application. Using the energy of the atom, we already produce electric energy at atomic power plants.

Writing

Is it practicable to build atomic cars?