Nuclear Energy

Some may ask what is nuclear energy the dictionary defines this as:

nuclear energy

n.

1. The energy released by a nuclear reaction, especially by fission or fusion.

2. Nuclear energy regarded as a source of power. Also called atomic energy

Nuclear power was first known to be researched in the early 1900's, and by the world war; it reached its greatest peak by demonstrating to the world its power to destroy. Nuclear energy can be good or bad, depending on how the person works with this material; it is used for both sides good and bad.

Scientists were unsure from the beginning of how it was possible to get energy from the material called Uranium. They were sure that with its uniqueness it would be able to transform itself into different elements. So they were unsure of it for many years, until Albert Einstein he explored the world of nuclear energy. In 1905 he released his theory of the famous equation e=mc2 with this he knew that uranium was able to create masses of electricity. A few years later, scientists found out the great power of the atomic energy. Since then, both scientist and the public were unable to find the best fit for nuclear energy in our society. We have put it into power plants, but the government and public were disappointed by accidents. We have put it into war, and with it we have caused great damages. So the question is where can this energy go?

Even though it has been discovered to be the greatest power source of the world today, nobody is willing to cooperate with it because of these accidents and accomplishments. I am not sure if my findings are accurate but by source tells me that today there are a total of 432 nuclear power plants and the amount keeps on lowering everyday. Most of the US and Europe power plants have been shut down completely. The Asian power plant has kept its production going, and it is predicted that Asia might become the biggest energy producer of the world.

Nuclear waste has sometimes been called the Achilles' heel of the nuclear power industry; much of the controversy over nuclear power concentrates on the lack of a disposal system for the radioactive spent fuel that must be regularly removed from operating reactors. Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and 1987 amendments, the Dep...

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...ick. The 'dome' is designed to withstand earthquakes or a direct hit by a crashing jumbo jet.

There is also a large number of sensors that pick up increases in radiation or humidity. An increase in radiation or humidity could mean there is a leak. There are systems that control and stop the chain reaction if necessary. An Emergency Cooling System for the core ensures that in the event of an accident there is enough cooling water to cool the reactor.

Bibliography-website (http://members.iinet.net.au/~ando1/nuke/pro_nuke.htm)

Cons on Nuclear Energy:

Reliability

One disadvantage of uranium mining is that it leaves 'mill tailings', the residues from chemical processing of the ore, which leads to radon exposure to the public. These effects are over-compensated for by the fact that mining uranium out of the ground reduces future radon exposures. Coal burning leaves ashes that will increase future radon exposures. The estimates of radon effects are very much in favor of nuclear plants. Mining of the fuel required to operate a nuclear plant for one year will avert a few hundred deaths, while the ashes from a coal-burning plant will cause 300 death.