Recommended: Ionising radiation pros and cons
When the nuclei of Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239 undergo nuclear fission, they produce waste as a by-product, which is known as nuclear waste or “fission fragments”. (Leslie Corrice, 2015) This waste contains radioisotopes, which are radioactive isotopes that have long half-lives. This means that the radioisotopes are able to stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of thousands of years, which is extremely hazardous to the earth’s environment. Very commonly this waste contaminates water and ruins the quality of both air and soil, which in turn devastates the planet.
Power plants burn fuel to produce heat to generate energy; however, nuclear power plants use the heat given off fission to turn water into steam. Nuclear energy is without a doubt a great way to power our homes because, Nuclear power plants are safer than other energy alternatives. Nuclear plants are safer than other energy alternatives. Coal is responsible for five times more deaths than nuclear power plants, coal also causes over one thousands more serious causes of illness than nuclear. Nuclear plants produce steam while coal plants, heat water by burning coal that produces greenhouse emissions.
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.
Nuclear energy only creates minimal negative effects to the environment. Nuclear energy produces steam and low levels of carbon dioxide. Nuclear energy is also beneficial seeing that it produces a large amount of energy for a low cost. Nuclear reactors generate energy at a lower cost than oil, gas or coal. This nuclear energy will be a stable source of energy seeing that it is a base load source and it is synergistic with other renewable resources.
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
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.
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
Stating the obvious that one of the main necessities for achieving human progress is a sufficient source of energy. I am going to be taking France as an example, a country in Western Europe that plays a significant role in production of energy. It is important to state both the advantages as well as the disadvantages to make the right decision of whether countries in western Europe, specifying France should increase the production of energy or not in nuclear power stations. To start with, France gets about three quarters of electricity from nuclear power. It is also known that France originates 75% of its electricity from nuclear energy.
On August 6, 1945, the United States of America detonated two atomic bombs over Japan in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Along with chernobyl, this is often the first thought when people hear nuclear power. Nuclear power’s fear is justified when many consider the radiation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “The average annual radiation dose per person in the U.S. is 6.2 millisieverts (620 millirem)”. Fifty two percent comes from background radiation, another forty eight comes from medical radiation; thus, the chances are everyone is getting above average dosage of radiation from just existing.
Nowaday, the energy made from nuclear power plants used for various purposes. The production of electric energy continues. Nuclear power plants generate electricity for nearly 90 percent of their annual time. It reduces price volatility in other fuels such as gasoline. Many countries that use nuclear power plants mostly use fission technologies.
New technology and military strategy in World War One made the war more dangerous and frightening for soldiers on both sides. Advances technology and military strategies changed the course of the war and made it deadlier on land, on water, and in the air. New technology like gas, tanks, U-boats, and airplanes made military strategies important and set high standards for military warfare. The war in Europe was crawling with advances in tactical plans and military machines .
This is evident in Figure … where an equivalent amount of energy is given, the nuclear energy is able to sustain power up to years, where normal fossil fuel can only sustain up to a few days. Although there are debates that the life span of nuclear power sources such as Uranium is low and is comparable to oil, this do not pose a threat as nuclear energy can be recycled. In addition, nuclear power plant only emits hot water into the environment which makes it environmental friendly. In fact, little or almost no carbon dioxide is being released into the atmosphere.
Nuclear energy is one of the several alternative energy sources that have been introduced ever since. Nuclear energy’s various advantages entice many countries to start practicing it. One must consider the amount of energy generated by nuclear fuels, as they are highly-concentrated energy sources. Small uranium pellets, which are the most common form of fuel in generating nuclear energy, can generate as much electricity as a trainload full of coal does. In addition, nuclear power plants do not produce green house gases as byproducts.
Chapter 2: Efficiency and risks of nuclear energy: the efficiency of nuclear energy compared to fossil fuels and other sources of energy, the use of nuclear energy in civil and military sector and its distribution worldwide, the problems concerning nuclear waste storage, accidents, radioactivity 4. Chapter 3: Possible solution to the problem: nuclear power plant conversion, a process that requires time, increase the investments on renewable energies, the last discoveries in this solar, wind, hydroelectric sector 5. Conclusion: Nuclear energy is the bridge between fossil fuels and renewable energy, after efficiency/risk analysis we have to recognize that it should not become the energy of the XXI century. Thesis Plan for the
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”).
