What is Nuclear Energy : Its Importance & Applications

.Everything around us is fabricated with small objects which are called atoms. These are the small particles within the molecules that structure solids, liquids & gases. Atoms are mainly made up of electrons, protons, and neutrons. Every atom contains a core/nucleus and it includes protons & neutrons where this core is enclosed by electrons. The main function of protons is to carry a positive electrical charge, electrons carry negative electrical charge and neutrons do not carry any charge. Huge energy can be present within the bonds that grasp the energy. This energy is released once the bonds get damage during nuclear fission. So this energy is mainly used to generate electricity. This article discusses an overview of nuclear energy

What is Nuclear Energy?

Definition: The energy that is used to make electricity within the core of an atom is known as nuclear energy. Although the energy has to be released first from atoms and it can be done in two techniques like nuclear fusion as well as fission. Once the atoms are merged to make a larger atom then energy can be released in fusion like the sun generates energy. Once the atoms are split into small atoms then energy can be generated. In these power plants, electricity can be generated by using fission. The nuclear energy diagram is shown below.

The examples of this energy include the following.

• At a power plant, a fission reaction generates sufficient energy to provide electricity to big cities.
• The reaction of fusion within the sun gives the energy to living organisms to stay alive.
• An uncontrolled fission reaction will provide a negative force from a nuclear bomb.

How is Nuclear Energy Produced?

This can be generated mainly by using Uranium. The generation of heat within a nuclear at the power station is known as the nuclear fission method. It produces heat within the reactor to heat the water nearby the fuel rods. Once the water is heated then it changes into steam to activate the turbine. So that generator can be enabled to generate electricity.

The reactor includes Uranium that experiences a fission method to split the atoms into small particles to generate heat. The heat within the fuel rods increases the temperature of the running water within the steam system of nuclear power & changes the water into steam.

• The turbine changes the energy received from the steam into mechanical energy.
• The generator changes the energy from mechanical to electrical.
• The transformer steps up the electricity & fed into the transmission network so that electricity can be distributed to outside.

Importance of Nuclear Energy

The importance of this energy is increasing day by day because it is a carbon-free and large-scale electricity source so it is extensively used to generate a large amount of electricity.

Nuclear power plants avoid the emission and every year they prevent the release of almost 700 million metric tons of CO2 each year. This is equal to the emission released from all the passenger cars in the USA. It prevents the emission form of nitrogen oxide and it is equivalent to the emission released from 47 million passenger cars.

Nuclear Binding Energy

This energy is mainly used to split an atom into small components like protons, neutrons otherwise jointly the nucleons. This energy decides whether the fusion or fission method will be a useful process. The defect of mass in the nucleus signifies the mass of the energy binding the nucleus. The main terms used in the nuclear binding energy are nucleon, mass defect, and strong force. This energy is equivalent to the sum of energy released to form the nucleus.

Eb = (Δm)C²

Facts

The facts about this energy include the following.

• The power plants of nuclear generate electricity 1 billion kW Hrs of electricity in the year 2018.
• It gives 55% of clean energy.
• It is the most consistent energy source in the country of America.
• It gives power to 30 states in the USA.
• It is very dense.

Advantages

The advantages of nuclear energy include the following.

• It gives protection to national security.
• It gives carbon-free electricity 24×7 so it protects the environment.
• This energy ensures US leadership in technology
• It generates electricity consistently.
• This energy offers above 1 lack long term with well-paid jobs by giving support to local economies.
• It protects our air
• It provides carbon-free energy to electric vehicles

Disadvantages

The disadvantages of nuclear energy include the following.

• Constructing of the power station is expensive
• It takes a decade to construct this power station
• This energy will make us dependent on a small no. of sites.
• It impacts on humans
• It is not a renewable energy

Nuclear Energy Examples / Applications

The applications of this energy include the following.

• Desalination of seawater
• Production of hydrogen
• Cooling /district heating
• The removal of tertiary oil resources & develop heat applications like cogeneration, conversion of coal to liquid & support in the production of chemical feedstock
• Hydrology
• Industry
• Mining
• Food & Agriculture
• Medicine
• Art
• The Environment
• Exploration of Space
• Cosmology

FAQs

1). What is nuclear energy?

The energy that is used to generate electricity by splitting the atom in nuclear is known as nuclear energy.

2). What are the production methods used in nuclear energy?

The methods used in production are fusion, fission, and radioactive decay.

3). What are the nuclear power plants used in the USA?

They are two reactors like boiling water and pressurized-water.

4). What are the four kinds of reactions?

The main types of reactions are fusion, fission, nuclear decay, and transmutation.

5). What are the three sources of nuclear energy?

The three sources of this energy are fusion, fission & nuclear decay

Thus, this is all about an overview of nuclear energy. This energy can be produced by splitting the atom or using fission. This energy can also be generated by combining atoms or fusion. We know that power plants for natural gas and coal generate much more CO2 into the environment and change the climate. By using these power plants, the emission of CO2 is least. These power plants generate energy without damaging the environment. Here is a question for you, is nuclear energy renewable?