How is Nuclear Energy Produced?
Nuclear energy is produced when an atom's nucleus is split into smaller nuclei by the process
called fission. The fission of large atoms, such as Uranium 235 and Plutonium 239, produces a great deal of energy. In fact, the fission of 1 gram of Uranium 235 produces the same amount of energy as the combustion, or burning, of 3 tons of coal (1)! The energy produced by the fission of uranium or plutonium can be harnessed to produce electricity, to propel space craft, and to power weapons like the Atomic Bomb.
Unlike a traditional coal-burning power plant, a nuclear power plant uses the energy, or heat, produced by the fission of Uranium, rather than the burning of coal, to heat water into the steam required to turn the turbines that power electric generators. The advantage of using Uranium over coal energy is that, unlike for coal, Uranium fission does not produce soot and potentially harmful gases such as Carbon Dioxide. However, like coal, Uranium is mined and then processed before it can be used as an energy source. Also, like coal, the different mining and processing steps, as well as the actual energy production, produce a great deal of waste. Unlike coal, however, these wastes are radioactive, and thus more difficult to handle.--------from internet
2. Not a lot of people have died because of nuclear power plants.
3. Cleaner then fossil fuels
5. Nuclear power plants have prevented 219 million tons of sulfur dioxide and 98 million tons of nitrogen oxides from being discharged into the atmosphere since 1973.
6. In early 1998 the Natural Resources Defense Council, a leader in the battle against air pollution, reached a landmark agreement with New Jersey's Public Service Electric & Gas. The Natural Resources Defense council agreed to support the Newark-based utility's full recovery of investments in nuclear plants and other facilities that might be "stranded" by electricity deregulation. In turn, the utility said it would expand its energy-efficiency program.
Nuclear energy is produced when an atom's nucleus is split into smaller nuclei by the process
called fission. The fission of large atoms, such as Uranium 235 and Plutonium 239, produces a great deal of energy. In fact, the fission of 1 gram of Uranium 235 produces the same amount of energy as the combustion, or burning, of 3 tons of coal (1)! The energy produced by the fission of uranium or plutonium can be harnessed to produce electricity, to propel space craft, and to power weapons like the Atomic Bomb.
Unlike a traditional coal-burning power plant, a nuclear power plant uses the energy, or heat, produced by the fission of Uranium, rather than the burning of coal, to heat water into the steam required to turn the turbines that power electric generators. The advantage of using Uranium over coal energy is that, unlike for coal, Uranium fission does not produce soot and potentially harmful gases such as Carbon Dioxide. However, like coal, Uranium is mined and then processed before it can be used as an energy source. Also, like coal, the different mining and processing steps, as well as the actual energy production, produce a great deal of waste. Unlike coal, however, these wastes are radioactive, and thus more difficult to handle.--------from internet
Good points
1. There is a slight risk of accidental contamination.2. Not a lot of people have died because of nuclear power plants.
3. Cleaner then fossil fuels
5. Nuclear power plants have prevented 219 million tons of sulfur dioxide and 98 million tons of nitrogen oxides from being discharged into the atmosphere since 1973.
6. In early 1998 the Natural Resources Defense Council, a leader in the battle against air pollution, reached a landmark agreement with New Jersey's Public Service Electric & Gas. The Natural Resources Defense council agreed to support the Newark-based utility's full recovery of investments in nuclear plants and other facilities that might be "stranded" by electricity deregulation. In turn, the utility said it would expand its energy-efficiency program.
Bad Points
1. Dangerous if it melts down.
2. Chance of contamination
3. Deadly
4. Cleaner forms of energy can be formed, if more work was put into them, like fusion.
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