Nuclear Power Plants: Safe and Reliable Sources of Clean Energy

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Recommended: Comparisons both advantages and disadvantages comparing nuclear fission to fusion

Nature has its own way to show its power. Lightning is a bolt of highly charged particles that create huge amounts of electricity and heat that is hotter than the surface of the sun. It is an untamable force of nature. Man however has another means of power. Man’s lightning is fission; nuclear fission. A powerful yet tamable force that is harnessed for the clean use of our homes, appliances, and one day our vehicles. Man’s lightning is something that is feared by most, yet understood by few; a force that will one day replace our existing primitive means of electricity. There is a plan, something bigger than just nuclear power plants, being brewed in the minds of geniuses.

Nuclear fission may sound like a radically scientific process, but in reality it is actually very simple and logical. Nuclear power plants use Uranium, a naturally occurring element, as fuel. Basically, the uranium is converted into Uranium dioxide through chemical means and is compressed into a pellet. The pellets are placed into tubes and then into the reaction core where the process takes place. Uranium is a radioactive element, which means that in its natural form, it is unstable and regularly releases subatomic particles. When it is in the reactor, free neutrons are released and collide with the Uranium which causes it to release its own neutrons causing a chain reaction. All of this is happening very quickly and doing so it releases enormous amounts of heat. This heat is then used boil water into steam, turning turbines and producing electricity. There are also rods that are placed between the fuel rods that will absorb some of the neutrons. This is to control the amount of reactivity and heat being produced (Schrock 3). After the reaction is complete, t...

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... it is a plan that could very well eliminate all use of fossil fuels.

Nuclear power plants are an extremely safe and reliable source of clean energy. As long as protocol on safety is met, then there should be no means for worry. The coal-burning power plants are only killing us slowly; we need to take action now before it is too late. We need to embrace new technology and use it to advance our world, as well as the world of our future generations.

Works Cited

Fergus, Charles. "Probing Questions: Are todays nuclear power plants safe?." Psysorg (2011): 2. Web. 10 Apr 2011.

Salvino, Robert. Personal Interview by Tony Salvino. 02 04 2011. 10 Apr 2011.

Schrock, Jonathan. "Nuclear Power: A Clean, Safe Alternative." Goshen (1998): 6. Web. 10 Apr 2011.

Shrognren, Elizabeth. "Are Nuclear Plants Safe? Environmentalists are Split." NPR (2011): 2. Web. 10 Apr 2011.

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