Nuclear Energy Essay
explanatory Essay
2004 words
Out of options On and off, could it be that simple? Energy is there whenever we need it, so we think. It’s not as simple as turning the light switch, replacing light bulbs, and paying the electric bills. Our energy today is made mostly from coal, natural gas, oil, wind, solar, and nuclear. With depleting natural resources, we must begin to consider what will power our future. Although there are many challenges yet to be encountered and technology yet to be discovered, many say nuclear energy is becoming a major part of our future. However, nuclear meltdowns and disasters have many people and scientists questioning the possibility of having a nuclear powered world. What are the concerns and positive aspects of nuclear energy today? Could nuclear energy become a part of our future energy source? The entire nuclear energy process starts with uranium. Uranium is the fuel for the nuclear reactors, often harvested near coal mines. Uranium is found in two types, U-235 and U-238, the one needed for the nuclear energy power is U-235. Uranium U-235 is one of the least plentiful elements making only 0.000002 percent of the earths’ crust. Although it is quite rare, one pound of Uranium can produce the same amount of energy as three million pounds of coal. U-235 is unstable in nature and highly radioactive making it a perfect match in the fission process. (How Nuclear Power Works 2) The process of harvesting energy from atoms is complicated and has many variables. It begins with fission, which is the splitting of a nucleus with neurons. The harvested uranium is made into small pellets, placed into twelve-foot rods. These rods will be placed into the core of the reactor, which is a key ingredient to the fission process. The fission process c... ... middle of paper ... ...ing nuclear waste is a new and unsound technology, but still a solution to the problems of excessive waste. Where in the future, new technologies may allow for the waste to be completely recycled and reused in the reactors to create more energy. With both positives and negatives of nuclear energy, the real question that remains is “if not nuclear, then what else?” (Rutgers’s Felder) Far from perfect, nuclear power has a possibility of being part of our future energy source. With the rising prices of and the limitations of natural resources, nuclear energy is needed in our society. It will most likely be accompanied with wind, solar, and other small sustainable and renewable sources. The technology is interesting, and quite dangerous but with time, as with any technological advances, nuclear power should become a safer and more reliable energy source for the future.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that energy is there whenever we need it, so we think. with depleting natural resources, we must begin to consider what will power our future.
- Explains that the entire nuclear energy process starts with uranium. uranium is the fuel for the nuclear reactors, often harvested near coal mines.
- Explains the process of harvesting energy from atoms is complicated and has many variables. the fission process causes a chain reaction within the uranium rods releasing heat.
- Explains that many scientists and citizens are worried about the nuclear industry after the fukushima nuclear meltdown.
- Explains that after the catastrophic event at fukushima, the nuclear regulatory commission (nrc) has increased safety requirements on current and new reactors.
- Explains that nuclear waste is a highly radioactive substance that can be leaked into the environment. re-processing is an efficient way to dispose of the used uranium, but it is expensive and many countries have not yet adapted to it.
- Explains that scientists have been trying to find new ways to process or resolve the issue of nuclear waste. they suggest interim storage facilities in regional areas around the world, where counties can ship their waste to a facility that will be safe and allow access for further research.
- Explains that the cost of running a nuclear reactor is extremely high, causing many concerns in the industry and for the companies running it.
- Explains that economics decides what society needs and determines if nuclear reactors play a role. the u.s. has spent billions investing in nuclear power plants but due to tight regulation and concerns with this type of energy, only five of those projects have broken ground.
- Explains that nuclear reactors are unpredictable. they can last over 25 years or meltdown within 2 years. the three mile island 2 reactor melt down is another case of unreliability.
- Opines that nuclear energy isn't needed in our society, and that the rising prices of natural gas and coal have many turning to a different source.
- Opines that nuclear energy is a complicated and opinionated matter, where many variables come into play. the meltdowns should have been avoided by upgrading old reactors and triple checking power plants.
- Opines that nuclear power has a possibility of being part of our future energy source. it will most likely be accompanied by wind, solar, and other small sustainable and renewable sources.
Related
- explanatory
- opinion
- analytical
- Nuclear Energy Essayexplanatory essayMascola, Sofie Chemistry p.3 April 23, 2014 Nuclear Energy In the United States, there are many methods to choose from to receive electricity. One method is nuclear energy. This method is a very controversial subject because of its history. Yet, nuclear power plants in the long run is a good thing because it uses natural resources and fossil fuels.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that nuclear energy in the united states is a controversial subject because of its history. it uses natural resources and fossil fuels.
- Explains that electricity is important in today's society. nuclear power plants generate electricity through reactor vessel, pressurizer, coolant pump, steam generator, turbine generator and turbines.
- Explains that the first step to make electricity from a nuclear power plant is the reactor vessel.
- Describes how the heat is extremely hot and the water needs to stay in liquid form to stop boiling in the pressurizer. the reactor coolant pump circulates the hot pressurized water and it goes to the steam generator.
- Explains that turbines spin very fast and when the steam passes through them it converts the heat energy produced in the reactor into mechanical energy. a transformer takes electrical energy and makes it high voltage.
- States helmenstine's definition of fission, which is the splitting of an atomic nucleus into 2 or more lighter atoms accompanied by energy release.
- Explains that radiation can be dangerous depending on the classification. alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are the three main types of radiation.
- Explains that exposure to radiation can mutate our cells and change our basic dna. radiation can also cause cancer and destroy cancer cells.
- Explains that radioactive waste disposal is important because when disposed of properly, there is absolutely no harm. different countries have different ways of disposing hlw.
- Explains that yucca mountain in nevada is the future location of radioactive waste disposal. the harmful radiation has to be stored there until it isn't.
- Explains that the united states is burying their radioactive waste underground, which can affect the surrounding area.
- Explains that radiation leaks can cause cancers, defects to our dna, radiation sickness, and mutations. high levels of ionizing radiation cause immediate damage to a person's body causing cancer and death.
- Explains that the nuclear power plant on three mile island had an accident in 1979 and changed the way many thought of nuclear plants. the accident was not cleaned up properly until 1993.
- Opines that nuclear power plants are preferable to other systems because it keeps our air clean and does not disperse chemicals in the air. nuclear plants require a small part of the land unlike solar or wind generating systems.
- Explains that nuclear energy has transformed a long way since the accidents over 20 years ago. the industry is controversial and will be up for debate.
1231 wordsRead More - America Needs Nuclear Powerexplanatory essayTo understand nuclear power we need to have a general understanding of how it is generated in most nuclear plants. This is a general description only and makes no claim to encompass all the different variations possible for the design of nuclear power plants. Nuclear energy is produced from the nuclear fission reaction of a heavy nucleus such as uranium absorbing a neutron after which it splits into two fragments of nearly equal mass. This releases a substantial amount of energy and several more neutrons. The neutrons are then able to strike other heavy nuclei and cause them to fission, releasing more energy. This process occurring continuously results in a chain reaction in which many billions of nuclei may fission in a small fraction of second. In a nuclear reactor the self-sustaining series of fissions is carefully controlled. The enormous amount of energy released occurs in the form of radiation and the kinetic energy of the fission products expelled at high speeds. Most of the energy becomes thermal and is used to heat water and convert it to high-pressure steam. The steam is then used to drive a turbine and the mechanical energy of the turbine is converted to electricity by means of a generator (Britannica).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that nuclear energy is produced from the nuclear fission reaction of uranium absorbing a neutron after which it splits into two fragments of nearly equal mass.
- Explains that hydroelectric is good for the environment, but location specific. oil has a finite supply, high cost, and the emission of carbon dioxide.
- Explains cohen, bernard l., the nuclear energy option: an alternative for the 90s.
- Explains that nuclear power plants are a safe, clean, and reliable source of energy production. nuclear costs less and is environmentally cleaner than coal, which supplies approximately fifty percent of the power in the us.
- Explains that environmentalists argue against nuclear power on the grounds of the danger of radiation emitted by nuclear reactors and nuclear waste, and that renewables are a better, cleaner option.
- Explains that radiation is a dangerous emission, which can damage biological cells, cause cancer, or cause genetic defects in later generations.
1974 wordsRead More - Nuclear Power Essayexplanatory essayMichael Laurence English 11B Rough Draft 2 19 March 2014 Nuclear Power is a better alternative energy Nuclear power is a growing source of energy to most of the world for many benefits. People doubt the significant of nuclear power because of one accident. Due to this accident, the world has only seen the flaws in nuclear power and not the many benefits it has to offer. Nuclear power would benefit worldwide if people would let go of the past and look towards the future.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that nuclear power is a better alternative energy because of its economic and environmental benefits.
- Explains that nuclear power has grown to be a big percentage of the world's energy. the change that it has brought has led to benefits in the energy’s usage.
- Explains that many developing countries are looking into nuclear energy because of the benefits it has to offer.
- Explains that uranium is the fuel source of nuclear power plants, and extracting the isotope is fairly easy.
- Explains that radioactive rods are dangerous because they can cause cancers, birth defects, and other health disorders. the spent fuel is stored in water pools at the reactor site.
- Opines that france is the best example of how nuclear power can be used and is safe.
- Explains that the most serious nuclear accident in u.s. history took place near harrisburg, pennsylvania.
- Explains that the second worst nuclear reactor accident happened on april 26, 1986 at chernobyl ukraine.
- Explains that the fukushima nuclear power accident happened due to a series of natural disasters. the earthquake and tsunami caused the reactor's core to melt down.
- Explains that nuclear power is a good source of energy that is also environmentally friendly, with little carbon emissions going into the environment.
- Explains why steam comes out of nuclear reactors because of the process of how nuclear power is made. the uranium-235 core is heated inside the reactor where water is also placed.
- Explains that nuclear power has the ability to get a lot of power in space. 1.6 billion people live without electricity and 2.4 billion rely on traditional biomass.
1281 wordsRead More - Nuclear Energy Essayexplanatory essayIntroduction Nuclear power is the generation of electricity from an atomic reaction. (World Statistics: Nuclear Energy Around the World n.d.) Though it produces zero carbon emissions there has been a decline in support for nuclear power and increased its support for alternative energies in the pursuit for a fossil free energy sector. Factors that have resulted in the reduction of support for nuclear energy include nuclear accidents and waste and the positives of renewable energy which include clean energy, sustainable and reduced health and environmental risks. Reduction in Support for
In this essay, the author
- Explains that nuclear power produces zero carbon emissions but has decreased its support for alternative energies in pursuit of a fossil free energy sector.
- Explains that there is a link between exposure to radiation and the development of cancer. people are unable to move back into the vicinity of reactors involved in an incident due to their fear of radiation.
- Explains that nuclear waste is radioactive waste material produced as a by-product from nuclear fuel.
- Explains that renewable energies receive greater support than nuclear power because they are derived from a replenishable source.
- Explains that renewable sources of energy have seen an increase in support over nuclear power due to their sustainability.
- Explains that renewable energies are more highly favoured than nuclear energy due to their reduced health and environmental risks.
- Explains that nuclear power has declined as support for renewable energy has increased. chernobyl and fukushima have shifted support away from nuclear energy.
998 wordsRead More - Argumentative Essay: 11 Facts About Nuclear Energyexplanatory essayThere are many sources of energy today, and the best source of it is constantly being sought after, one source stands out above the rest. Nuclear energy is simple in theory, yet it may be one of the most controversial sources of power. Nuclear energy works using reactors built to split the atoms (nuclear fission) of the fuel to produce heat. This heat evaporates the cooling agent (usually water) into steam which turns turbines to create electricity. Nuclear energy should be allowed, because it produces an abundance of electricity, as well as being a clean source of energy with no harmful emissions. Nuclear energy is the future of clean, environmentally friendly energy.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that nuclear energy is one of the most controversial sources of power. it uses reactors to split the atoms (nuclear fission) of fuel to produce heat.
- Explains that nuclear energy is completely emission free and reduces the greenhouse effect. it is also one of the smartest ways to produce energy and fight global warming.
- Explains that nuclear energy uses fuels such as uranium, which is a common element with that atoms split relatively easily. however, as technology advances, we will be able to use nuclear energy to mine it instead of coal.
- Explains that nuclear energy is a reliable and steadfast source of clean energy, which has led some nations to rely almost exclusively on it.
- Explains that nuclear energy is becoming very common throughout the world, not just a select few nations see its potential as an alternative energy source.
- Explains that nuclear power plants are safer than other sources of energy because they are strictly regulated. nuclear waste is so toxic that every precaution is taken to keep it from poisoning the environment.
- Explains that meltdowns are possible, but are rare, and are less harmful to the environment than coal and fossil fuels. if we want to save the planet we have to find another source of energy.
- Explains that nuclear energy has many benefits, even with a few potential cons, and it is still an extremely viable means of producing energy.
843 wordsRead More - Nuclear Energy Essayopinion essayNuclear Energy: The Future Energy Source America uses a lot of energy to supply electricity to millions of homes and businesses and needs an energy source that will supply an abundant amount of power but is also efficient. Nuclear energy is a reliable and efficient energy source that America can use. Fossil fuels and other resources used in the United States are running out or are very expensive. Nuclear power will provide a cost effective and long term power supply.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that america needs an energy source that is reliable and efficient. nuclear energy provides a cost effective and long-term power supply.
- Explains that nuclear power is a potential energy source for america because of its many economic benefits.
- Opines that increased domestic energy production is critical to our economic and national security. nuclear power offers great benefits, but also poses tremendous challenges.
- Explains that the cost of uranium is lower than nonrenewable resources, and that nuclear power should be used more often in america.
- Argues that nuclear energy should be used more in america because of its environmental benefits.
- Opines that nuclear energy should be used in the united states because of the increase of safety measures.
- Opines that nuclear energy is safer because of more safety laws placed on nuclear power plants, which leads to higher availability of materials and lower costs.
- Opines that america should use more nuclear energy because it produces a lot of energy without wasting money.
- Explains that nuclear energy is a reliable and diverse energy source. nuclear power plants can operate in any weather, unlike other green alternatives.
- Analyzes the reliability of nuclear power, which is better than any other power supplier because it is diverse in the materials that can be used to create the power needed to give electricity to millions of people.
- Opines that nuclear energy has its pros and cons, but it should be used more in the united states.
1871 wordsRead More - At the start of the mid 1950’s, the world was introduced to a new, alternative source of power that would revolutionize the energy industry; this power became known as nuclear energy. Since that time, nuclear energy seemed to pave the way in efficiency and supply power to countless cities around the globe. However, the past has shown that there are many major disadvantages to using nuclear energy. Today, many individuals believe that nuclear power plants are hurtful to the Earth and urge America and various other countries to use “green energy” instead and help preserve Mother Nature. Numerous individuals and groups from around the world are currently creating new ways to keep both the Earth clean and the energy, efficient. The world should use clean, renewable energy, instead of using nuclear energy because nuclear energy is non-renewable energy and therefore a form of unsustainable energy, there is no place to get rid the waste and after product, and if an accident were to ever occur, it would greatly affect and alter the United States. History has shown that nuclear energy is not a feasible way to reach equilibrium of sustainable energy and that there are only a few benefits of using it. Renewable energy is on track to become the dominant source of power, leaving nuclear energy with the possibility of facing extinction. There are many reasons why nuclear energy is depleting; mostly because the main element that makes it all possible...is running out.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that nuclear energy revolutionized the energy industry in the 1950s, but there are many disadvantages to using it.
- Explains that nuclear energy revolves around uranium, a non-renewable resource that is only available for 30 to 60 years. the only way to fix this energy crisis is to use renewable energy.
- Explains that nuclear waste has been a reoccurring problem over many decades, but not just for the united states.
- Compares the chernobyl nuclear disaster and the fukushima nuclear plant disaster.
- Explains that renewable energy dominates nuclear energy when it comes to the overall benefits.
- Opines that the nation's energy department should focus on long-term, renewable, and efficient green energy. people around the world have already begun switching to all solar energy in their homes and recycling rain water.
- Narrates how chu, steve, and ginley, david, martin a. green and reuben collins, "solar energy conversion toward 1 terawatt," the economist.
1193 wordsRead More - Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy Use in Australiaopinion essayThe fuel used by nuclear plants for nuclear fission is uranium. Uranium is non-renewable. Uranium, U-235, is used because its atoms can be split easily. Once uranium is mined the U-235 must be extracted and processed before it can be used.During nuclear fission, a particle called a neutron hits the uranium atom and splits it, releasing an immense amount of energy as heat and radiation. More neutrons are released and these neutrons go on to bombard other uranium atoms, and the process repeats itself. This is called a chain reaction.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that nuclear energy is an alternative to fossil fuels, but is it safe?
- Explains the fuel used by nuclear plants for nuclear fission is uranium. uranium, u-235, is used because its atoms can be split easily.
- Explains that fission generates heat in a reactor, and then the heat boils water into steam. the steam turns turbine blades and drives generators that make electricity.
- Opines that the issue of safe disposal of radioactive waste & outdated plants has not been resolved.
- Opines that waste disposal isn't the only problem with nuclear energy. there are several other points that need to be explored, such as terrorism.
- Explains that nuclear power plants cost about $2 billion each. others believe that it is cheaper, but the cost of building a nuclear plant is more expensive than any other type of electricity-generating plant.
- Opines that nuclear power isn't 100% reliable, as there are so many possibilities, in which a disaster could occur, and because they are run by humans, they're susceptible to human error.
- Explains that nuclear power has so many bad vibes attached to it that it is impossible for it to be given a real chance.
- Opines that the possible dangers of nuclear power outweigh anything else.
- Opines that nuclear energy has a proven record of safety and security.
1119 wordsRead More - Nuclear Power Australiaanalytical essayThere are two types of nuclear power one involving the procedure of electricity by boiling water into steam. This steam then turns turbines to produce electricity. The difference is that nuclear plants do not burn anything. Instead, they use uranium fuel to produce electricity through a process called fission. The other process of nuclear power is when the power plants obtain the heat needed to produce steam through a physical process. called fission. The process of fission undertaken is when an atoms neutrons are used to be shot past something with a heavy nucleus. Once a neutron passes by something with a heavy nucleus in which uranium has a heavy nucleus which is why it is used, the heavy nucleus attracts the neutron which sometimes creates the fission. When the capture happens the addition of a neutron to the uranium nucleus creates a new compound nucleus. An example of this is U-238 + n ==> U-239 which alternatively is the formation of the nucleus U-239. In a perfect case the capture is followed by the fission of the new
In this essay, the author
- Explains that nuclear power is a highly debatable topic as many people have conflicting opinions on the subject. nuclear energy is an in depth process requiring both physics and chemistry.
- Explains that nuclear power is a sophisticated way of making power when going into more depth than just the terms of creating heat in which turns turbines.
- Explains nuclear fission takes place after the neutron is captured. the nucleus is unstable and releases energy in the form of kinetic energy, vibrational energy of the broken fragments, and gamma radiation.
- Explains plutonium 239 and uranium 233 are materials manufactured from absorption of a neutron. production of these materials is called breeding.
- Explains that australia is the world's second largest uranium miner and nuclear power is a huge power source to all military parties.
- Opines that australia should implement nuclear power as global warming will be largely reduced and combated.
- Explains that e stands for energy, m for mass, and c for the speed of light.
- Argues that nuclear energy has a low impact on the environment as it realises no gases like carbon dioxide or methane which are responsible for supposed global warming from the greenhouse effect.
1598 wordsRead More - Nuclear Energy: Are the Benefits Worth the Risk?opinion essayNuclear energy has, for some time, been a controversial issue. With incidents like that of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and the more recent complications caused by the earthquake and tsunami Fukushima reactors in Japan, concern about the safety of nuclear energy has become a major issue. A lot of this concern probably exists because of a lack of information and education about both radiation and its effects. It is my belief that nuclear power is no less safe than any other form of energy generation, and can produce significant amounts of power.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that radioactive decay is what creates the radiation, in a sense. alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are the most dangerous kinds of radiation.
- Explains that nuclear reactors operate on the fission of uranium, plutonium or (rarely) thorium. nuclear power plants differ in the method of heating the water.
- Explains that a meltdown occurs when the cooling to the nuclear reactors becomes insufficient or non-existent, and older reactor core reactions continue even after cooling rods are inserted, causing metal pellets containing radioactive materials to melt.
- Explains that chernobyl is probably the most remembered (and officially the worst) nuclear disaster to ever occur. the number 4 reactor was poorly built due in no small part to the poor state of russia during the cold war years.
- Opines that the benefits of nuclear energy outweigh the detriments, but only if proper precautions are taken and buildings are built to code.
- Opines that ten years after chernobyl: what do we really know?
- Argues that nuclear energy is no less safe than any other form of energy generation, and can produce significant amounts of power.
- Explains how nuclear power works in howstuffworks. raymond, murray. nuclear energy, sixth edition. butterworth-heinemann, 2008.
1349 wordsRead More