Nuclear Energy :: Essays Papers

thermo atomic Energy It seems that the world as a whole is in appear of an vigour source that is cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient. This seems to be particularly true in the United States where the government seeks to separate themselves from their reliance on petroleum from countries including those in the Middle East. Their agenda, unfortunately, is less concerned with environmental issues than it is with issues of occasion, money, and dominance. Either way, nuclear energy has emerged as the forerunner for alternative energy sources. Today, there are 109 nuclear power plants in the United States which contribute roughly 20% of the power used in the United States(Nuclear Energy, April 13, 2005). Nuclear fission is performed by concretion of hydrogen into helium. This is done using uranium, plutonium, or thorium and placing them in the reactor, which loot a chain reaction that can produce vast adds of energy. atomic number 92 is the element prima rily used in reactors. The fission of a individual atom can produce 10 million times the amount of energy that an atom can produce that is burned from ember. Uranium is an plethoric element which is easily found and extracted. It often has to undergo a comparatively cheap refining process, however, as the isotopes are found mixed in nature. Nuclear fission is also relatively clean, as there is no excess CO2 produced, as there is in the burning of coal and petroleum. It does, however, have is pollutants. The filtering rods used have to be changed every two long time and the old rods disposed of. Because the rods are highly radioactive, their disposal must be dealt with meticulously. Currently most of the rods are shipped to Yucca Mountain (The Bane of Nuclear Energy, April 13, 2005). notwithstanding the benefits of nuclear fission, the quest still continues for an even better energy source. The hopes of the hot energy source are pinned on a process cognize as nuclear fusion. This is the process that takes place on the sun and another(prenominal) stars under intense heat and pressure. The hope is that nuclear fusion get out become a reality here on earth as it will provide an unprecedented amount of energy very stingily and with very little pollution.