Nuclear Power After Ww2

In today’s society 11% of the world’s continuous, reliable energy is provided by nuclear power. During World War II, the U.S. military was looking for more destructive and effective weapons. From 1939 to 1945, scientists worked with the military to create what was the first nuclear weapon: the atomic bomb. This weapon achieved the military’s desire for destructiveness and had devastating effects. After the end of World War II in 1945, scientists worked to create an alternate use for nuclear power: electricity. The first nuclear power plant was built and opened in 1954.This power plant combined atoms with uranium to perform nuclear fission which releases the energy from inside an atom’s nucleus. This energy is used to power generators and provide

Nuclear power is generated by nuclear fission, the splitting of atoms. Uranium is combined with atoms to perform fission. Since the world will not run out of atoms to split, nuclear power is classified as a renewable energy source even though the Earth’s supply of Uranium could run out. Scientist predict that our supply of Uranium, if used at the same rate, will last for more than 200 years. However, scientists are researching and looking for other elements that are able to aid in the process of nuclear fission. As of 2016, scientist have not yet found another element to replace uranium in this process. Another benefit to using nuclear power is that this process does not require the Earth’s limited fossil fuels like most energy sources use. Fossil fuels take millions of years to form and the earth’s current supply is running out. Most energy sources are depleting fossil fuels; however, nuclear power does not. Eventually, the world could have enough nuclear power plants that uranium power would replace fossil fuels. Nuclear power is also reliable; Unlike wind and solar power which rely on the weather, nuclear power can be produced consistently. Nuclear power provides cities with a constant source of abundant energy. Since nuclear power is constantly being produced, it is a great energy source for many

These gases can cause adverse effects on the ecosystem. Greenhouse gases are harming plants’ ability to perform photosynthesis and are sullying clean air. These greenhouse gases also lead to the breakdown of the ozone layer, allowing harmful radiation to reach earth’s surface. Scientists have been working to find alternate energy sources that do not harm to atmosphere, like nuclear power. The only waste given off into the air is steam, which is harmless. More than half of our current energy sources give off gases that are harmful to the atmosphere. Not only does is nuclear power environmentally friendly, it also has a low operating cost compared to other energy sources. Currently, solar panels cost more than the energy they produce; this makes them extremely inefficient. Nuclear power has a lower operating cost than half of all the conventional energy sources making it one of the only energy sources that produces enough energy to cover the cost of running the