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Understanding Nuclear Energy

            
            
             Structure of the Atom " The atom consists of a nucleus surrounded by negative electrons. The interaction of the electrons with other atoms is the basis for the chemical behavior of the atom. The nucleus contains positive protons and neutral neutrons. The positive protons tend to attract an equal number of electrons. The number of protons determines the type of atom.
             Isotopes " The number of neutrons in an atom can vary. If two atoms have the same number of protons, they will still have the same chemical behavior even though the number of neutrons may differ. They are the same type of atom. We call them isotopes, meaning "same type."" The usual way of showing the difference between isotopes is to show the chemical symbol with the number of protons below and the total number of protons and neutrons written above. The number of neutrons could be determined by subtracting the number of protons from the total.
             Radiation " In some atoms, the balance of neutrons and protons is not stable and the nucleus contains excess energy. The nucleus can release some of this energy by emitting either a bundle of 2 protons and 2 neutrons called an alpha particle, an electron called a beta particle, a photon similar to an X-ray called a gamma ray, or a simple neutron.
             Energy " Einstein discovered that mass was a form of energy. When a large atom splits, the resulting parts have less total mass than the original atom. The missing mass is converted to energy. The conversion factor is the speed of light squared and is represented by the formula E=mC2. This fission of the nucleus releases a million times more energy per atom than a chemical reaction that involves the atom's electrons.
             Chain Reaction " Certain isotopes, such as 92U235, will fission (split) if the nucleus absorbs a neutron. When the nucleus fissions, it emits several neutrons. If, on the average, one neutron from each fission causes another atom to fission, a chain reaction results and there is a continuous release of large amounts of energy.


Essays Related to Understanding Nuclear Energy

1. Plutonium 2

But with the continuing problem with our ever diminishing energy sources, some want us to begin using more nuclear energy and less energy from natural resources. ... With the continually decreasing supply of coal and oil to power our nation, we need a substitute to complement our energy needs and right now the best replacement is that of nuclear energy.... Nuclear energy has been proven to be the cheapest, safest, cleanest and probably the most efficient source of energy.... Nuclear electric propulsion is using energy from plutonium to power space vehicles.... They mostly have to do with exces...

  • Word Count: 2168
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Plutonium: 'Our Country's Only Feasible Solution'

But with the continuing problem with our ever diminishing energy sources, some want us to begin using more nuclear energy and less energy from natural resources. ... With the continually decreasing supply of coal and oil to power our nation, we need a substitute to complement our energy needs and right now the best replacement is that of nuclear energy.... Nuclear energy has been proven to be the cheapest, safest, cleanest and probably the most efficient source of energy.... Nuclear electric propulsion is using energy from plutonium to power space vehicles.... They mostly have to do with exces...

  • Word Count: 2125
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Grade Level: High School

3. plutonium

But with the continuing problem with our ever diminishing energy sources, some want us to begin using more nuclear energy and less energy from natural resources. ... With the continually decreasing supply of coal and oil to power our nation, we need a substitute to complement our energy needs and right now the best replacement is that of nuclear energy.... Nuclear energy has been proven to be the cheapest, safest, cleanest and probably the most efficient source of energy.... Nuclear electric propulsion is using energy from plutonium to power space vehicles.... They mostly have to do with exces...

  • Word Count: 1978
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: High School

4. atomic bomb

The history of the atomic bomb dates back to the early 1900's when Einstein's theory of relativity proved a basis for understanding nuclear energy and showed that the atom contained vast energy. This energy seemed beyond men's grasp until the late 1930's. ... They found that the split atoms released neutrons and energy. ... This rapidly releases huge amounts of energy causing a large explosion. ... I hope countries around the world have realized the danger involved with nuclear warfare and its potential for mass global destruction. ...

  • Word Count: 813
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Nuclear Proliferation

The NPT is a treaty that was written to "prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, to promote co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy-(UN Department of Affairs). ... The ultimate goals of this treaty were, to encourage disarmament of all nuclear weapons, to halt the production of fiscal material, and to slow the advancement in nuclear technology. ... The current threats of Iran help to emphasize this; "Despite Iran's status in the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Tehran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program- (CIA). ... These weapons produ...

  • Word Count: 1113
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

6. Evaluation of Duke Energy's Financial Strengths

Abstract I will use this evaluation as a tool for understanding Duke Energy's financial strength and to evaluate whether or not it will be a good fit for my professional career and lifestyle. ... Because the information found on a company's financial statement itself does not give a complete understanding of the company's financial performance and strength, I will transform the numbers and use financial ratios. ... Because the information found on a company's financial statement itself does not give a complete understanding of the company's financial performance and st...

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7. Controlling the World's Oil

Energy control: in Iraq. ... Alternative Energy Sources: Some of the nonrenewable energy sources are; oil sands/heavy oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil, gas hydrates, and nuclear fission. Some renewable sources that have been researched include wood/other biomasses, hydro electricity, solar energy, wind energy, wave energy, tidal power, fusion, and ocean thermal energy. ... Imagine what we could do with a greater understanding of the world's available energy, known and those still yet to be discovered. ... Nuclear Weapons, Weapons of mass destruction, chemical warfare, and the rivalri...

  • Word Count: 895
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Chernobyl

Throughout history there have been a select few catastrophes involving nuclear energy. These unfortunate accidents involved nuclear-powered reactors, in power plants or even in nuclear submarines. ... Although there are many other components involved, these are the most important in understanding the instability issue at Chernobyl. ... The actual test was to determine how long the turbines would spin and supply power without a supply of energy (I.E., a simulated power failure) (World Nuclear Association 2). ... In fact, since 1989 over 1,000 nuclear engineers from the former Soviet Union ha...

  • Word Count: 944
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9. Chernobyl

Formin, test were being carried out disregarding the safety system of the reactor; the nuclear equipment was supposed to be fully de-energized, the already spinning turbines would produce energy while the plant was down. The point of this test was to see if power was cut off to the equipment, which can happen in normal operations, would the plant still produce efficient energy. ... Medvedev 32-33) To better understand nuclear power you need to know how a nuclear power plant's reactor works. The source of power in the nuclear reactor is uranium ions. ... Only a man with no understandin...

  • Word Count: 1586
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

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