11.3. Nuclear Energy http://www.ck12.org
FIGURE 11.16
The extremely hot core of the sun radiates
energy from nuclear fusion.FIGURE 11.17
In the thermonuclear reactor modeled
here, radiation from fusion is used to heat
water and form steam. The steam can
then be used to turn a turbine and gen-
erate electricity.Nuclear Energy and Einstein’s Famous Equation
Probably the most famous equation in the world isE=mc^2. You may have heard of it. You may have even seen
it on a tee shirt or coffee mug. It’s a simple equation that was derived in 1905 by the physicist Albert Einstein (see
Figure11.18). Although the equation is simple, it is incredibly important. It changed how scientists view two of the
most basic concepts in science: matter and energy. The equation shows that matter and energy are two forms of the
same thing. It also shows how matter and energy are related. In addition, Einstein’s equation explains why nuclear