I would expect a significant percentage of people know that nuclear explosion is not a risk of nuclear power.

I would be surprised, to be honest, if more than half the american population knew that a nuclear power plant literally cannot blow up like an atomic bomb. However, I can't find any information to support either of our gut feelings. All of the polling information is of the form "how much do you like nuclear" or "what is the best non-fossil fuel power source". I'd love to see answers to "why do you think nuclear energy is a bad idea" or something.

While it isn't proper poll, Veritasium's interviews[1] with the general public support the supposition that most people lack basic information about anything nuclear.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQmnztyXwVA

True or false: a reactor accident costs more in political capital than all the capital of building it to begin with...

>(the answer may surprise you!)

Is the answer "yes"? "Yes" is the only answer that would surprise me. Because the answer is no. It can't.