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The Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Power

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Nuclear Power is the use of nuclear reactions that release nuclear energy to generate heat. It is produced by an atomic reaction, capable of producing an alternative source of electrical power to that supplied by coal, gas, or oil. A nuclear reactor creates energy through a chain reaction that splits a uranium nucleus, releasing energy in the form of heat. Fast breeder reactors, which use plutonium as fuel, generate more energy than they expend. Plutonium is not a natural element. It must be recycled from the excess uranium produced from a chain reaction. The radioactivity of plutonium is higher and its life is longer than that of any other element. These characteristics caused society to be concerned about the safety of humans, which they …show more content…

Radioactive waste is not unique to the nuclear fuel cycle. Radioactive materials are used extensively in medicine, agriculture, research, manufacturing, non-destructive testing, and minerals exploration. Unlike other dangerous industrial materials, however, the level of danger of all radioactive waste – its radioactivity – weakens with time.Many have concerns about terrorism and nuclear proliferation. A nuclear reactor creates energy through a chain reaction that splits a uranium nucleus, releasing energy in the form of heat. Is it possible for nuclear reactors to be turned into bombs? A reactor is too large to produce the density and heat needed to create bombs. Society has a fear of terrorist turning reactors into a Chernobyl. This is not possible because all reactors require a medium around the fuel rods to slow down the neutrons given off by the controlled chain reaction that ultimately produces heat to make steam to turn turbines that generate electricity. Here in the U.S. the medium is water which cools it down. Reactors are built with thick layers of concrete and are reinforced to withstand varieties of disasters.Nuclear power plants generate large amounts of waste. Many have complained about the slow effects of radiation as the waste decays. Unfortunately, geologic repositories for spent nuclear fuel are necessary for radioactive material to decay. However, the storage of nuclear fuel is not a problem if there is recycling and efficient managing of the waste.

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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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