Nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is one of the most important alternative resources that the world can be used for. Nuclear fission or the splitting of the nucleus of an atom releases great amounts of energy, much more than any other conventional energy source. Its uses are a growing discussion in today’s era of technology. Nuclear energy has enormous potential as an energy source. There is an almost limitless supply of energy. However, radioactive by-products and waste post serious health and environmental risks. Instead, nuclear plants use the heat given off during fission as fuel.
Nuclear energy represents a very small percentage in many countries’ total electricity production, but this percentage is likely to go up in the coming years. The atomic or nuclear bomb is the uncontrolled release of nuclear energy. The tremendous power and deadliness of this are evident when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed by atomic bombs at the end of World War II in 1945. The devastation was enormous, nothing like what human beings had seen before. it is not something to be repeated. Even so, the major powers of the world now possess enough atomic bombs to wipe out the entire population of the world. It is a chilling thought that human beings are now able to wipe themselves out. We can only hope that they have the sense not to.
The nucleus breaks down resulting in the emission of heat and radiation followed by a chain reaction. In a nuclear reactor, the release of nuclear energy is controlled. This energy is used for various purposes such as for generating electricity and driving submarines. However, the reactor has to be maintained carefully. An accident is potentially disastrous. The leakage of radioactive substances can cause death to live things and pollution of the environment, such as that which occurred at Chernobyl. However, almost all the nuclear energy we use today comes in the form of electricity, which is not dangerous. Nuclear energy represents only 15% of the electricity produced worldwide. Fission takes place inside the reactor of a nuclear power plant.
Nuclear energy has the ability to produce electricity without greenhouse gas emissions. As it is now, nuclear energy bolds enormous potential as an energy source but it is not totally safe to use. This energy is coming up as a great alternative, but various factors support as well as to oppose its growth. Perhaps one day, with more research and knowledge, human beings will learn how to harness nuclear energy safely. This energy produces electricity at a competitive price and is generally comparable in output to coal plants.
