A fission nuclear reactor produces about 8.1 × 10⁷ kJ of energy for each gram of uranium consumed. One kilogram of high-grade coal produces about 2.8 × 10⁴ kJ of energy when it is burned.

(a) How many metric tons (1 metric ton = 1000 kg) of coal must be burned to produce the same energy as produced by the fission of 1 g uranium?

(b) How many kilograms of sulfur dioxide are produced from the burning of the coal in part (a), if the coal is 0.90% by mass sulfur?

(c) Compare the environmental hazards of approximately 1 g radioactive waste with those of the sulfur dioxide produced by the burning coal to produce the same amount of energy.