Nuclear Power By: Holden Milner

Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy usually means the part of the energy of an atomic nucleus, which can be released by fusion or fission or radioactive decay.

Nuclear Fusion A Nuclear fusion reaction involves the combination or fusion of two light elements to form a heavier element and release uncontrollable energy. Thus it cannot be used to generate electricity, unlike fission reaction. Did you know that the sun’s energy is generated by nuclear fusion reaction?

Nuclear Fission works by splitting the atoms apart to produce smaller atoms, and as a result energy is released. Nuclear fission is used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity through the splitting of the nuclei of uranium atoms.

How a nuclear reactor works The basic principle of the performance of a nuclear power plant is based on obtaining heat energy through the nuclear fission of the atoms´ nucleus from the fuel. This heat energy, already being steam, will be converted into mechanical energy by a turbine, and in the end this mechanical energy will be converted into electrical energy by a generator.

ADVANTAGES Almost 0 emissions (very low greenhouse gas emissions). They can be sited almost anywhere unlike oil which is mostly imported. The plants almost never experience problems if not from human error Lots of energy is produced from a small amount of uranium. Very cost efficient Generating energy from a power plant causes little pollution Provides lots of jobs

DISADVANTAGES Nuclear plants are expensive to build and maintain. nuclear plants can render hundreds of square miles of land uninhabitable and unsuitable for any use for years, decades or longer, and kill off entire river systems Uranium is not renewable and can lead to environmental problems through mining and processing

continued While nuclear energy produces less waste than fossil fuels, its radioactive waste must be stored in special containers and buried beneath the earths surface, typically in a mountain, until it is no longer hazardous. This adds to the costs. There is presently no adequate safe long-term storage for radioactive and chemical waste

FACTS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY Nuclear power plants produce about 20 percent of Americas power While nuclear energy produces less waste than fossil fuels, its radioactive waste must be stored in special containers and buried beneath the earths surface, typically in a mountain, until it is no longer hazardous There are over 400 nuclear power plants worldwide.

In 2009, America produced billion kilowatts of nuclear energy more than twice that of any other country and over 30% of all the nuclear energy generated worldwide that year. Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission (the process of splitting of an atom in two). Nuclear fusion (the process of combining atoms into one) has the potential to be safer energy because it is produced at a much lower temperature. However, nuclear fusion technology has not yet been developed to operate within a large power plant.

Its over … References Web. 4 Mar Extending Nuclear Power Plant Licenses Would Help U.S. Reach Clean Energy Goals Web. 4 Mar Reactors That Run On Depleted Uranium Web. 4 Mar Society, National, and National Society. "Nuclear Energy". National Geographic Education. N.p., Web. 4 Mar Three-Eyed Fish Caught Outside A Nuclear Power Plant Web. 4 Mar Uranium In Karoo May Be Tenfold More Than Thought Web. 4 Mar