Is Nuclear Fission a Viable Alternative to Fossil Fuels as a Power Source For Australia?
Australia has developed something of an allergic reaction to any mention of uranium or nuclear energy. With fears of its safety and impact on the environment again heightened by the devastating nuclear event that was the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Blessed as we are with abundant reserves of coal, oil and gas, we have never had to ask the hard questions many other nations have had to ask – the answer for which has been ‘nuclear’. Yet with the looming spectre of climate change and greater calls for a shift away from fossil fuels, nuclear power is once again on the agenda. The South Australian government has even called for a royal commission to investigate the plausibility of nuclear power in this country (Wroe).
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Atoms such as 235U (uranium), 233U and 239Pu (plutonium) can be forced to undergo nuclear fission when they absorb (capture) slow neutrons. Slow neutrons, sometimes called ‘thermal’ neutrons because they have energies usually associated with energies of hot gases, can be captured by nuclei. These neutrons have energies typically about 0.03eV or 5 * 10-20 Joules. With this kinetic energy they have speeds of approximately 20000ms-1.
Because the neutrons have no charge, they can enter a nucleus without any coulombic repulsion and once in the nucleus fission occurs.
A typical induced (forced) fission of 235U by a neutron can be represented as shown in figure
whereas we’re happy to sell atomic number 92 abroad, the concept of nuclear reactors being designed here to produce our future energy wants doesn’t sit well with some.Last year, the govt appointed ex-Telstra chief Dr Ziggy Switkowski, a physicist and currently chairman of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), to move associate degree inquiry into energy. His report, atomic number 92 Mining, process and energy – Opportunities for Australia?, suggested that Australia aim to possess its 1st apparatus operational by 2020, and a fleet of twenty five reactors by 2050. In April, the govt declared it might begin golf shot rules in situ to envision this happen – a move that may mean a 3rd of our electricity wants area unit met from atomic
Nuclear energy is defined as energy released by reactions within atomic nuclei, as in nuclear fission or fusion (“Dictionary”). Nuclear fission is defined as a nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy. The definition of nuclear fission is as reaction in which two nuclei combine to form a nucleus with the release of energy (“Dictionary”). The process of nuclear fission and fusion happen inside of a nuclear reactor that is located in a nuclear power plant. Also needing to be defined, a nuclear reactor is a device in which nuclear fission initiates a controlled chain reaction, producing heat energy typically used for power generation, and neutrons and fission products (“Dictionary”). It is also important to know that there are a few different kinds of nuclear reactors. The different kind of reactors include: pressurized water reactors, boiling water reactors, gas-cooled reactors, and light water graphite reactors (Blau 117). Finally, a nuclear power plant is a facility for the production of electricity using
In a common type of reaction, two isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium fuse together, making helium and a neutron. A small amount of the mass produced is converted into an enormous burst of energy.
Using conventional fission, nuclear power plants generate electricity without creating air pollution from stack emissions as the energy is released from the breaking of the nucleus rather than the combustion of the organic compounds in the fossil fuels that create carbon dioxide . In contrast, combusting coal, oil, or natural gas emits sulfur dioxide(fossil fuels contain both organic and non organic compounds that contain sulphur) that contributes to acidic deposition, particulate matter that threatens human health, and carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.One might consider the indirect greenhouse emission of actually building a nuclear fission reactor and also the resources that are required to obtain and purify the uranium essential for the plant to run. Even after considering all the steps involved in building plants and generating power, researchers from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have calculated that nuclear power lowers emissions 4–150 times below the emissions from fossil fuel combustion . IAEA scientists estimate that at current global rates of usage, nuclear
Since its discovery in the late 19th century, nuclear energy has been used in a diversity of areas such as atomic bombs, medicine, reducing pollution and food irradiation (Gupta, 2012). However, one of the biggest outcomes since this discovery is nuclear energy generation. This subject is largely controversial as it has many pros and cons. It is considered to be a more eco-friendly alternative source of electricity, as it emits less carbon emissions than coal-fired power stations, for example. Yet there still an environmental risk provided by the radio-active waste and its inability to be disposed of for 100,000 years (Phillips, 2012). Today in Australia there are no active nuclear power plants but that is predicted to change in the
Energy- Everyone needs it. The major challenge for the 21st century however, is generating this energy with the lowest impact on human and ecological health. A number of differing production methods have been derived in response to this, one of the most controversial of which is Nuclear energy supplied through Uranium mining. This is a uniquely topical issue in Australia, on account of the sheer amount of Uranium held in Australia’s borders (30% of the world’s reserves) and its potential impact on Australia’s economy (4), the politicised and partisan nature of nuclear debate, along with longstanding opposition associated with such striking international disasters as the Chernobyl and, more recently, Fukushima events (1). With such significant
Presently, nuclear fusion and nuclear fission are being studied, and even used in some countries as a power generator. The enormous energy produced by nuclear fission and fusion could light up a big city for a hundred years or more and we do not have to worry about it polluting our environment because nuclear energy is a green energy. Moreover, in a long term, the cost to generate power using nuclear is far less than the cost of generating power using fossil fuel.
When a uranium nucleus splits, energy is released (as steam). This steam turns generators and creates electric energy. One pro is that nuclear fission does not release as many pollutants as fossil fuels. Two cons are that it nuclear waste is hard to dispose of and also can be harmful for humans.
Albert Einstein developed an equation for this process, E=mc^2. To summarize this equation, energy is lost or produced when a change in mass occurs. So the process of nuclear fission begins with a neutron. The neutron then strikes the Uranium nucleus, causing the Uranium nucleus to split into two Uranium nuclei. By splitting the nucleus, it also produces more neutrons, and with those neutron, it continues to split the Uranium nucleus. From this uncontrolled process of fission, nuclear weapons can be made. This process is known as a nuclear chain reaction. The energy released (exothermic reaction) from this chain reaction is what powered the atomic bombs.
Two neutrons do not continue the reaction because they are lost or absorbed by a uranium-238 atom. However, one neutron does collide with an atom of uranium-235, which then fissions and releases two neutrons and some binding energy. Both of those neutrons collide with uranium-235 atoms, each of which fission and release between one and three neutrons, and so on. This causes a nuclear chain reaction. For more on this topic, see Nuclear Fission.
Although nuclear energy has many advantages, their disadvantages that cause great concern to the general public. A common opinion amongst the public is the perceived opinion that uranium is dangerous and this has proven to be a major problem when there as has been any consideration of a nuclear alternative in Australia. Another concern is the long lasting radioactive material associated with the use of uranium as a fuel source, for example, the international nuclear waste dump possibility in Adelaide. Even if the South Australian Government could convince the voting public in its state, the plan would require federal approval and changes to the law. South Australia has about 30 per cent of the world's known uranium reserves. However, the strength
Our society is in danger of nuclear fission due to all the natural and unnatural events happening in our economy that can cause a nuclear explosion or it can lead to nuclear terrorism or even nuclear war. Nuclear fission is a very dangerous job and the actual energy maker costs money to create and with reactors in high demand in large cities, it is costing the U.S. billions of dollars. Nuclear reactors also have harmful effects on local populations when they are mining for uranium nearby. With many negative effects our overall society should make nuclear fission obsolete.
The process involves the sustenance of a fusion chain reaction by uranium-235. Uranium-235 releases neutrons when they break apart slam into other nuclei causing them to break apart and release neutrons accompanied by enormous energy. Szilard and Fermi then proposed using a ‘moderator’ to slow down the emitted neutrons.
The additional neutrons released may also hit other uranium or plutonium nuclei and cause them to split. Even more neutrons are then released, which in turn can split more nuclei. This is called a chain reaction. The chain reaction
Nuclear energy could be the future of energy and potentially solve the energy crisis problem. Nuclear energy is a sustainable energy source and it can provide millions of times the amount of energy output from a fixed mass of fuel than any other energy source, such as fossil fuel, for the same mass of fuel. Nuclear energy is also very clean for the atmosphere. It produces no greenhouse gases at all. However, nuclear energy can be very harmful to both people and the rest of the natural environment if not managed well. Nuclear meltdowns etc. can release