The Power of the Radioactive Atom

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

The Industrial Revolution was a period that changed the course of human history in many ways. People often think of the positive outcomes rather than the negative consequences, for example, the creation of a more efficient manufacturing process that resulted in more products and profits. However, the industrial revolution also paved ways for humans to increase the amount of pollution being put into the atmosphere immensely. Evidence of this is seen in various graphs of Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide. In these graphs, there is a notable spike in these levels starting around the mid 1800s, which is also around the time the Industrial Revolution started to take off and spread around the world. In the data of CO2 emissions, Carbon Dioxide was about 280 ppm (parts per million) in the pre-industrial time period, since then CO2 levels have increased rapidly resulting in around 407 ppm, which is the highest level humans have ever experienced. This being said, the whole human race needs to be self-conscious of what get exposed to Earth’s atmosphere.

Today, a considerable amount of energy is provided by nuclear energy. The technology is well organized and developing every passing day and as a result the cost of operation is falling. Using radioactive resources to produce energy generates waste. Waste that contains radioactive materials is called nuclear waste. The secure and environmentally-friendly disposal of nuclear waste is a crucial aspect of nuclear power programs. [1]

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.

Nuclear energy is gathered by the process of splitting uranium atoms. By splitting these atoms, there is some mass loss, and this mass can then be used as energy. This process is called fission. The heat from this fission is used to turn water into steam, and this steam turns the turbine generator in a reactor, which produces energy. Nuclear power plants have many advantages when compared to other renewable energy sources.

Carbon Dioxide emissions in the United States have decreased by 12% since 2005 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (Lindstrom, 2016). Almost 70% of

The effect of all this excess extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is that the overall temperature of the planet is increasing (global warming). Whilst the average global temperature is increasing, on a day-to-day level the climate is changing in unpredictable ways. To try and reduce the risk of continued adverse effects we need to reduce how much fossil fuel we are burning. Australia is currently has the highest CO2 emissions per capita. Figure 1 shows a graphical comparison to all the other developed countries and how Australia is lacking severely behind in terms of CO2 emissions.

Uranium was first discovered during the 18th century (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research). It’s a silver-white metal that is radioactive and has high density (Lenntech). However, scientists studied uranium as it has radioactive properties but have found that uranium is only harmful if you’re exposed to it more often than usual or the natural amount (which I’ll go over in the second paragraph) (Lenntech). Natural uranium has three isotopes (which are essentially different forms of the same element. While they have the same number of protons, they have a different number of neutrons): uranium-238, uranium-235, and uranium-234 (Lenntech). Uranium plays a major role in nuclear reactions and is essential when making nuclear weapons (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research). In fact, the first atomic bomb that was used during war was an uranium bomb (Lenntech). Depleted uranium (uranium

During the process of nuclear energy, the nucleus splits and creates fission. Continuingly, heat is released from fission and, consequently, makes water into steam. Then the steam turns a turbine and generates electricity. Furthermore, this kind of energy is very effective and extremely reliable. Moreover, one uranium pellet (about the size of an eraser on the top of a pencil) can create as much energy as 2000 pounds of coal. However, nuclear energy does not rely on weather like windmills and solar panels. So even in bad weather conditions, it is still capable of producing

“Even when nuclear energy is produced without incident, the science itself creates vast quantities of toxic waste, which is impossible to discard” (Dupea, n. pag.). Because of the fact that there is no way to safely dispose of nuclear energy and waste, many issues have arose. There are many more safe and more reliable sources and ways to produce energy that involves less risks. Countries need to eliminate the use of nuclear energy due to the problems it causes. Some of the largest issues with nuclear energy are the building process of nuclear power plants is expensive and time consuming, there are many safety concerns and the potential risks to people and the environment.

The fissions of U-235 are too unstable, since when the nuclei split they release neutrons, therefore U-238 is what’s usually makes up uranium in nuclear fuel. The types of nuclear power plants are the Boiling Water Reactors and Pressurized Water Reactor, they both create steam (BWRs inside the reactor and PWRs outside the reactor ), which is then cooled after running through the turbine. A nuclear reactor or power plant, are the machines that are able to utilize nuclear fission to create electricity. Nuclear power plants generate close to ⅕ of the electricity in the United States and the steam created from the heat is what is used as an energy source. Heat made from the nuclear reactors can be used as energy for industries or for desalination plants, which make clean drinking water from

Nuclear power produces huge amount of energy through nuclear fission. 1 ton of uranium fuel, which is used as a fuel in generating electricity, equals to 50,000 tons of fossil fuels for generating the same amount of electricity. Since a small amount of nuclear fuel can produce a large amount of energy, it is powerful and efficient.

Have you ever wondered how many people there are in the world? This beautiful place called earth is home to billions of humans, and human-kind is not alone. Although at times we may forget that we have several different species living with us, not only do different species live with us but they are part of the circle of life that is the root of our existence. For many years’ people have been releasing excessive amounts of CO2 into the earth, with little to no consideration of the effects it may have on surrounding environments. Exploiting natural resources to leave nothing behind except for oil spills and other environmentally dangerous components. Corporations need to be held to higher expectations with more regulations, there needs to be a government that will enforce these regulations. Who decides our government? People do, local communities vote for who runs their city, state, and country. Communities can help spread awareness and demand cleaner energy, stricter laws, and reduce their carbon footprint.

After the fueling process, nuclear rods are made of 95 percent non-fissionable uranium found in everything from granite tabletops to the coal burned for electricity in coal plants. The rest of the spent rod consists of two-fifths of useable nuclear fuel (one-fifth being uranium and the other being plutonium) and the three-fifths that remain are valuable in both industrial and medical processes (Tucker, 2009). With the knowledge that nuclear waste is not actually waste many are lead to the conclusion that reprocessing is a good, if not great idea, however there are an equal number of opponents that say that regardless of the possible benefits that come from reprocessing it simply is not the way to go.

What has changed in the last few hundred years is the additional release of carbon dioxide by human activities. Fossil fuels burned to run cars and trucks, heat homes and businesses, and power factories are responsible for about 98% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, 24% of methane emissions, and 18% of nitrous oxide emissions. Increased agriculture, deforestation, landfills, industrial production, and mining also contribute a significant share of emissions. In 1997, the United States emitted about one-fifth of total global greenhouse gases.