The stars and sun are considered infinite sources of energy. This energy represents the process of the nuclear reactions, where matter is transformed into energy. We were able to capitalize on this mechanism and use it regularly to generate energy. The world’s electricity is supplied by 16% due to nuclear power. Unlike stars, nuclear reactors, which we will discuss, are based on nuclear fission. A lot of researchers working hard to build fusion reactors that can produce significant energy, with some disadvantages than fission reactors.
Is nuclear energy renewable and green?
Nuclear energy is, paradoxically, a topic dear to environmental activists, who claim it is a “clean” and beneficial source of energy for the Blue Planet. But how true is this point of view? Nuclear energy is, paradoxically, a topic dear to environmental activists, who claim it is a “clean” and beneficial source of energy for the Blue Planet. But how true is this point of view? Indeed, the process of nuclear fission does not produce greenhouse emissions, compared to the flaming of mould fuels such as natural gas and coal.
Also, nuclear fission can represent a difference between burning fossil fuels and the toxic waste responsible for acid rain. Conclusively, nuclear power can guarantee a constant flow of energy which isn’t dependent on either the sun shining or the wind. But “green” nuclear advocates forget it’s not a zero-emission process – you have to build a nuclear power plant, extract, enrich and transport nuclear fuel, operations that rely on CO2-emitting sources.
Nuclear fuel is reasonable at the moment, but building a nuclear power plant is expensive: a newly built plant in Florida has come to cost $ 18 billion instead of 12 as originally estimated, which is not so much if you think about it. the whole nuclear industry has a reputation for exceeding costs by about 250%. Atomic energy also generates environmental problems that are not often highlighted. Water use, for example. Like conventional power plants, a nuclear power plant needs a huge amount of water for cooling. Withdrawal and then re-discharge of water can substantially disrupt aquatic life.
And the process of uranium extraction is a problem for the environment. Abandoned mines continue to be a contamination problem in many areas. After uranium extraction, mine operators face the problem of residues and radioactively contaminated equipment.
Equally thorny in the environmental debate is the issue of used fuel storage. The sarcophagi used today offer a temporary solution, like a century – but nuclear fuel, even after use, remains dangerous for at least 9,900 years after that. The reprocessing and reuse of used fuel is industrial advantageous, but the costs are expensive. I hope you understand now why is nuclear energy renewable.
Energy released from Nuclear
The atomic nuclei can relief a lot of energy when have to, The energy released during radioactive decay is created because of a radioactive isotope. Sometimes the nucleus demand an exterior stimulus but for energy release. A Nuclear Fission (a nuclei division) and Nuclear Fusion (a nuclei combination) are nuclear processes that lead to a degage of energy that isn’t needed in the outcoming nucleus after these processes have taken place.
Mass effect
The term “fission” means “division”, so in the process of nuclear fission, the division of the nuclei creates smaller nuclei and different elements. When nuclear fission happens, the reaction product is stronger than the mass that is less than that of the original nucleus or the interacting particles and thus the relief of the energy that held the initial nuclei together takes place. This occurs in elements with nuclei that are heavier (such as uranium).
In the same perspective, the word “fusion” means the combination of nuclei. The total mass of the reaction product in a nuclear fusion is also smaller than that of the original nucleus or the products that interacted, even if two nuclei were mixed. This happens because less energy is needed for atoms that have lighter nuclei (helium) to bind together, fuse, than if they were separate. Therefore the energy is freed when the fusion of light nuclei ongoing. Nuclear fusion is much more common in nature than fission and is easiest to obtain in the way of light elements such as carbon, hydrogen and helium. Generally, if a nucleus is formed by “glueing” nucleons, its mass is less than that of the free initial nucleons. This process is known as a mass defect.
How the nuclear energy is emitted?
Nuclear energy is emitting in the shape of the kinetic energy of the particles produced and electromagnetic radiation (gamma radiation). There are particles with high energy that strike with atoms in the encircling material, slowing down, while transferring energy to the particles they bumping into. This causes the heating of the encircling material and is the cause of why a piece of a radioactive matter is typically warmer than the surrounding environment.