In simple terms, it is the energy released through a nuclear reaction.It comes from the splitting of uranium atoms through the process of nuclear fission. This process occurs in the power plant which creates heat and we use that energy to generate electricity for us to use in our daily lives.
Clean Energy
A nuclear power plant is very similar to a fossil fuel power plants, except it is a clean and efficient way of generating energy. The main difference between the two kinds of power plants is the method that they use to heat the water to create steam. Nuclear fission is used in the nuclear power plants which is a much cleaner source of energy than burning fossil fuels in fossil fuel power plants.
Brief History
The science of atomic radiation, change and nuclear fission started developing back around 1900. Nuclear science developed a lot during World War II because most of the world was focused on creating the atomic bomb. After the war, nuclear energy was not used as a destructive force but rather a helpful one. Everyone’s attention was given to harnessing the energy for making electricity. After 1956 the main focus became the evolution of stable nuclear power plants.
Important dates TimeLine:
- 1932: Neutron was discovered by English physicist james Chadwick by exposing beryllium to alpha particles.
- 1939: Uranium atoms are split for the first time by physicists Otto Hahn and Fritz strassmann of Germany through the process of nuclear fission.
- 1939 – 45: Top secret atomic energy program named “Manhattan Project” is made by the US army with a goal to develop the first portable atomic bomb.
- 1945: The US drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- 1946: US army’s oak ridge facility ships the first nuclear-reactor-produced
- 1954: atomic energy act of 1954 is passed allowing private companies to use nuclear materials and build/operate power plants
- 1955: First nuclear power submarine called the USS Nautilus SSN 571, gets under way on sea trials.
- 1979: Three Mile Island, a nuclear facility has a major failure, resulting in meltdown of core and a minor release of radioactive material into atmosphere.
- 1986: Chernobyl nuclear disaster happens in Ukraine.
Nuclear Scientists involved in Nuclear Energy
- J.J. Thompson discovered the electron in 1906.
- Albert Einstein made the theory of relativity and created a new era of physics.
- Rutherford discovered the nucleus of the atom in 1911.
- Niels Bohr released the theory of atomic structure, combining nuclear theory with quantum theory in 1913.
- James Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932.
- Enrico Fermi irradiated uranium with neutrons thinking he created new elements when he only split the uranium atom. This was the first ever nuclear fission in the world done in 1934.
- Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassman demonstrated real nuclear fission by splitting a lot of uranium atoms in 1938.
- Albert Einstein thought of a the possibility of a uranium weapon in 1939 (nuclear weapon).
Here is a short video that will allow you to understand how nuclear energy works and how it is made in the power plants:
URANIUM
· The element uranium: is the main fuel used for nuclear fission to produce energy since it has many favorable properties. Uranium nuclei can be easily split by shooting neutrons at them. Also, once a uranium nucleus is split, multiple neutrons are released which are used to split other uranium nuclei. This phenomenon is known as a chain reaction. This is the basics of how nuclear energy is created.
- Uranium was discovered in 1789 by Martin Klaproth (German chemist), in the mineral called pitchblende.
- It was named after the planet Uranus which had been discovered eight years earlier.
- Apparently, Uranium was first formed in supernova about 6.6 billion years ago.
- It has a melting points of 1132°C.
- The chemical symbol is U.
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Nuclear Energy and The People
Nuclear energy produces electricity is used to power homes, hospitals, businesses, schools and many more. Not all countries can get uranium or plutonium needed for nuclear power. A country must have first signed the nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty and then only, can they use nuclear power. That is why nuclear energy is mainly found in the developed world. Nuclear power plants create renewable and clean energy. They don’t give off dangerous emissions into the air such as greenhouse gasses. They are built in both rural and urban areas of society to a large variety of people can access it.
Nuclear energy produces electricity is used to power homes, hospitals, businesses, schools and many more. Not all countries can get uranium or plutonium needed for nuclear power. A country must have first signed the nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty and then only, can they use nuclear power. That is why nuclear energy is mainly found in the developed world. Nuclear power plants create renewable and clean energy. They don’t give off dangerous emissions into the air such as greenhouse gasses. They are built in both rural and urban areas of society to a large variety of people can access it.