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Nuclear energy has long been a controversial energy source – particularly since the Chernobyl disaster. Correctly managed, however, it provides a long term source of energy that does not produce carbon emissions. Energy is taken from the nucleus of atoms. This can be achieved in two ways: fission and fusion.
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 Nuclear fission |
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Nuclear fission occurs when a heavy element such as uranium is split up to form lighter elements. When this occurs the nuclei of the atoms lose a little mass - this loss of mass becomes converted to energy. Einstein's famous equation E = mc2 [energy (J) = mass (kg) x speed of light2] shows us that a very small mass can be converted to produce large amounts of energy. All the currently operating nuclear reactors are fission reactors. As a source of heat, fission reactors are a tried and tested technology that can be used to turn water into steam to drive a turbine to generate electricity.
The major problem with fission reactors is that of the long term storage of highly radioactive waste products. Nuclear waste is very dangerous and needs to be stored for hundreds – and even thousands – of years.
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| Nuclear fusion |
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Nuclear fusion is the process that takes place in the sun and other stars as the smallest atoms are brought together to form larger heavier atoms. Once again the mass of these heavier atoms is slightly less than that of the combined masses of the smaller atoms from which they were formed. This difference in mass is converted directly into energy.
Much research has been conducted into developing stable ways of containing the hot gases that are necessary for the production of controllable fusion reactors. So far, despite much progress, this search has been unsuccessful. However, fusion reactors hold the promise of providing virtually endless supplies of cheap electricity.
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| Cold fusion |
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The suggestion has been made that the fusion of small atoms could be more easily achieved by bringing these atoms very close together on the surface of a catalyst. In theory this should be a safer, cheaper and easier means of generating heat energy from a fusion reaction. Unfortunately, experimental work in this area has so far proved inconclusive and little current research is being done to explore this alternative.
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 | What are the advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear power? |
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| Why do we still burn fossil fuels as our main source of energy when nuclear power is available? |
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