Essay Questions

What caused the explosion of the Chernobyl power plant?

Ultimately, the Chernobyl power plant explosion was caused by three things: primarily, a flawed reactor design that caused a nuclear chain reaction instead of a reactor shutdown, as well as employee negligence caused by a lack of training. Many employees that worked in the plant were, for example, chicken farmers and shoe makers who the Soviets had sent to Pripyat (as well as other nuclear power plants) to help run the plants in one way or another.

Had the Soviet leadership structure not been idiotic, corrupt, and inept, this horrific event would likely not have happened.

How did the Soviets extinguish the Chernobyl power plant fire?

A mixture of Boron and sand were used to extinguish the fire at the Chernobyl power plant. Initially, the Soviets that helicopter pilots fly directly over the reactor to ensure that as much Boron and sand made it in the fire. However, they quickly realized that every helicopter who did this would swiftly die. Thus, the Soviets devised a plan so that the pilots would stay as far away from the reactor as possible while still delivering the required payload. This plan eventually worked, but it required massive expensive and virtually all of the Boron the Soviets had and could buy.