Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom. Atoms are tiny units that make up all matter in the universe, and energy is what holds these nuclei together. There is a huge amount of power in an atom's dense nucleus. In fact, the power that holds the nucleus together is officially called the "strong force."

Nuclear energy can be used to create electricity, but it must first be released from the atom. In nuclear power stations, atoms are split apart to form smaller atoms, releasing energy. This is called nuclear fission.

History

The discovery of nuclear fission in the 1930s brought about the nuclear age. This led to the development of nuclear power plants and the atomic bomb. The first nuclear power plants were built in the 1950s.

How Nuclear Energy Works

Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms in a reactor to heat water into steam, turn a turbine and generate electricity. Ninety-five nuclear reactors in 28 states generate nearly 20 percent of the nation’s electricity, all without carbon emissions because reactors use uranium, not fossil fuels.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Nuclear energy has several advantages over other energy sources. It is a clean energy source, it has a low operating cost, and it is reliable. However, there are also several disadvantages. These include the potential for nuclear accidents, the problem of radioactive waste disposal, and the high cost of building new nuclear power plants.

See Also

• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear power plants
• Atomic bomb
• Uranium

References

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