NUCLEAR POWER
Nuclear energy is located at the nucleus
(centre) of an atom. Ever ything in our universe
consists of atoms, which are bound together
with great force. Atoms are broken apar t
through a process called fission, and when
this happens, a tremendous amount of
energy is released. Inside a nuclear power
plant, reactor atoms from uranium are split
by neutrons through fission, where a tiny
par ticle called a neutron hits a uranium atom.
This atom splits, and releases more neutrons,
producing a chain reaction. This energy
creates a lot of heat, changes water into
steam, and this gets the turbine generators
pumping to produce electricity.
Nuclear energy is controversial in terms of
its safety – par ticularly after the ear thquake
and tsunami in Japan, where the Fukushima
Daiichi Power Plant’s electrical systems were
shutdown, leading to a leak of radioactive
elements. High radiation is dangerous, and
can be fatal. However, as nuclear power
produces high levels of energy, many favour
this alternative energy. The electricity
produced by one pellet of uranium (about the
size of your little fingernail), is equivalent to
that produced by 4.5 barrels of oil, 470 cubic
metres of natural gas, or one tonne of coal.Nuclear energy is not without its share of controversy.
There is much debate whether this energy form is
safe. But as nuclear power produces high levels of
energy, many favour this alternative sourceTHE CONTROVERSIAL
No.46 Issue 44949