NUCLEAR ENERGY

BENEFITS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

• There are lower carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas levels when using nuclear energy.
• Relatively low operating costs.
• Known/ developed technology ready for market
• There is a large power-generating capacity.
• The waste can be reduced by recycling and reprocessing it.

DANGERS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

• Uranium is hard to find or has a limited supply just like coal.
• The nuclear waste can last up to 200- 500 thousand years.
• It also has a major impact on human life for example when the nuclear bombs were dropped during World War II even afterwards some of the children from the places affected were born with defects.
• It is a very non-renewable source of energy unlike solar and wind energy.
• The nuclear radiation creates plutonium which is a very dangerous element that is not naturally found in nature so if this element were to be introduced to nature it could be very dangerous to the plants and animals.

Nuclear fission is when an unstable isotope splits apart due to high speed particles most likely neutrons being slammed into the isotope causing it to split apart. This reaction releases heat due to the energy of the neutrons. The resulting energy of a fission reaction is used to heat water in nuclear reactors and will ultimately creates electricity.

Nuclear fusion on the other hand is when an atomic nuclei joins another to form a heavier nuclei which creates more energy. It normally takes place when two low mass isotopes join together under extreme pressure and temperature. More energy is released in a fusion reaction than in a fission reaction.

COST BENEFIT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY