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Nuclear Energy Research Paper

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We use energy in our lives every day. Lately our energy sources on the planet are becoming scares; therefore scientists are busy researching new ways to make energy available for our everyday use. There are many different kinds of energy in the universe, one of the most recent and closest is the sun, which seems to be an unlimited source of energy. The energy coming from the sun lights the sky and to an extent warms the whole ecosystem. This enormous type of energy from the sun is called nuclear energy. Nuclear Energy is the power produced during a nuclear reaction. It is the energy released from the change in the nucleus of an atom that produces energy known as nuclear power. This power can be produced in two different ways — by nuclear fusion, …show more content…

The Chernoby was some how different as Chernoby had no containment structure, and all security systems were deliberately avoided due that it was night. This lead to the 600-ton graphite moderator to catch fire and burn, leading to 29 deaths and n severely irradiated by the radiation, but survived. Chernobyl is the complete example of what not to do with a nuclear reactor: a bad design, an unstable reactor, controlled in an experiment with all security systems disconnected. After this incident, nuclear power plants owners have invested much money trying to have the safest nuclear power plant. The only accident after that was the TMI (three Mile Island), it was counted as” the worst accident in a nuclear power plant”. However the radioactivity released was almost completely restricted within the reinforced and secure concrete containment. The small amount of radioactivity that escaped was quite harmless. No one at TMI was seriously exposed nor did anyone die. The worst possible accident happened (core meltdown) yet no one died or was even injured, which is a great success. These are just sporadic incidents, as when compared to the number of accidents that occur in fossil fuel industries, like gas pipelines and coal mines that have a history of eruption and hazardous accidents. On of the biggest fear humans have on the idea of nuclear power is the terror of radiation; this can be easily overcome by educating the people about the method of radiation and its behavior. Some people will be surprised by the facts that radiation has been a part of our environment ever since the begging of time and that radiation in reasonable amounts can be an advantageous to our health. Therefore, radiation should not be feared need but can be controlled suitably to serve mankind in a positive

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In chapter four of the novel Wormwood Forest by Mary Mycio, Mycio explains the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear reaction, and how it had changed the ecosystem drastically. Chernobyl was a nuclear power plant in Pripyat, Ukraine that was operational during the time of the Cold War. This power plant had a sudden power surge in its reactor Unit 4, which resulted in a devastating incident. This caused large amounts of radioactive materials to be released into the air, and causing a level seven nuclear disaster, the highest level possible. After reading this chapter, it made me consider the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima 70 years ago, and the level seven nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan.

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In “Nuclear Power is Not the Answer,” Helen Caldicott argues that pursuing nuclear energy would be a detriment to the United States. According to Caldicott, nuclear power, contrary to what the industry claims, is not clean and green, but rather a pollutant and a strong contributor to the destruction of the ozone layer. Because of the availability of uranium ore steadily decreasing, the process is requiring more and more fossil fuels to extract the ore. Caldicott projects that within ten to twenty years, nuclear reactors will be counterproductive because of the amount of fossil fuel it will take to mine the remaining uranium. In addition to air pollution, nuclear power plants also emit radioactive gases and materials that have the potential

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However, mostly due to fear and the lack of knowledge, many are adverse to the use of nuclear power. Nuclear energy comes from two methods, fusion and fission. Fusion brings together tritium and deuterium to create heat energy, helium, and a neutron (Duke Energy, 2013). Nuclear fusion releases more heat energy than fission, however it is more difficult to control, so it is not currently a viable energy process (Duke Energy, 2013). However, the sun is an example of nuclear fusion, in how it produces heat.

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The general attitude by the public towards nuclear reactors is that of fear or disapproval simply due to its name or the rumors. Nuclear reactors are merely devices that sustain chain reactions, in which only one of the emitted neutrons hits another nucleus to create fission. Though nuclear reactors cannot become a weapon or a bomb, some of the dangers relate to our lives to the extent that we may need to seek alternatives, as demonstrated by the reactors in Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Nuclear reactors operate on chain reaction, which does not grow due to neutron multiplications of 1. They depend on slow neutrons—in explosion, they are only as powerful as TNT.

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Facts, data, expert opinion: a) Low Pollution such as air pollution, water pollution - Nuclear power also has a lot fewer greenhouse emissions. It has been determined that the amount of greenhouse gases have decreased by almost half because of the prevalence in the utilization of nuclear power. Nuclear energy has the least effect on nature since it doesn’t discharge any gasses like methane and carbon dioxide b) Low Operating Costs - The cost of the uranium, which is utilized as a fuel in this process, is low. Also, even though the expense of setting up nuclear power plants is moderately high, the expense of running them is quite low. The normal life of nuclear reactor is anywhere from 40-60 years, depending on how often it is used and how it is being

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Over 20 percent of the energy in the United States comes from nuclear energy power plants. (Rinkesh, 2018) They so their best to get as much energy to the country as possible, but there are those out there who don’t agree with them. While there are downsides to nuclear energy, the pros vastly outweigh the cons. Nuclear power plants are a great way to get energy because they don’t let out much pollution, are very efficient, and are very safe.

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At least 5 million people were sick or disabled, and 985,000 were left dead. Even today, 4.5 million people have their houses on affected land, and are eating food that has been poisoned by this incident. The damage that nuclear power can do is off the charts, and although it doesn’t pollute the air like fossil fuels do, it can wreak havoc. Right now, 4.5 million people are sitting on radiation, smelling radiation, eating radiation, and living on radiation. Nuclear fission is what caused all the destruction.

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Nuclear power produces fewer carbon emissions than traditional energy sources because energy is not produced by burning molecules but splitting atoms. ‘An energy mix including nuclear power has the lowest impact on wildlife and Ecosystems’ as shown by a Conservation Biology paper. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by nearly half which shows the benefits and popularity of nuclear power use. Nuclear power has many environmental benefits such as small waste production, leaves no adverse effect on water, land or any habitats. By reducing fossil fuel consumption and switching to Nuclear Energy, we will sustain the environment, quality of air, improving the overall quality of

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A company called the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are constantly researching and updating their safety precautions and regulations. All of these precautions are to make sure that no human, or environmental harm will occur. This also makes it more difficult to try and work at a plant or to become a plant supervisor. There are only around 100 people who are licensed to run Water and Boiling Power Reactors, which make up almost twenty percent of the U.S energy consumption rate. To become a licensed operator you have to take specific exams for specific positions in the field that include a written exam, an operations test, and relicensing exams.

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The uranium fuel rods were melting and turning into hot lava. The lava was about to melt through the concrete and into the water hold. If it were to get there a huge hydrothermal explosion would have occurred. A hydrothermal explosion is when underground water is heated too quickly and is turned into steam too quickly, resulting in an explosion. But the water under the reactor core was radioactive, so it would have really exploded.

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“Nuclear power will help provide the electricity that our growing economy needs without increasing emissions. This is truly an environmentally responsible source of energy.” Michael Burgess Prior to the introduction of nuclear energy, fossil fuel was thought to be the only available source in producing energy. Although fossil fuel, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, contains high energy value, it produces too many harmful byproducts that ultimately pollute our environment. With the rising concerns over global warming as more and more greenhouse gases accumulate in our Earth’s atmosphere, many voice such opinions that new alternative, yet sustainable method must be adopted to produce energy.

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Every time we plug a device into a powerpoint usually we do not think about where does that electricity comes from. I used this example to demonstrate that nuclear energy is something everybody should care about because, even if we don't want to, it belongs to our reality and not thinking about an issue will not solve it. Nuclear energy in itself it is not an issue but the consequences of an accident will affect seriously our lives so, since prevention is better than cure, it is better to solve possible issues by limiting the factors that can made them happen. The main objective of this thesis is to make people aware about the nuclear issues in a more detailed

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Nuclear energy is something that we`ve all heard about. It carries risk and potential. When an atom (Uranium and Plutonium in nuclear power plants) is bombarded by neutrons, it can be split, causing fission. This fission releases more neutrons, which causes a chain reaction. Nuclear power plants use this use the heat that is created by fission to heat water that spins their turbines (“Nuclear Energy”).

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Abstract The Chernobyl accident was probably the worst possible catastrophe that could happen in a nuclear power station. It was the only one in history of nuclear power. It resulted in a total meltdown of the reactor core, a hardcore emission of radionuclides, and early deaths of only 31 persons and thousands of people were displaced from their homes permanently. The Explosion released about 300 MCi of radioactive substances, including about 40 &100 MCi of short-lived radioiodines.

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