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Nuclear Energy Guide

Sources Of Energy| Nuclear Energy notes

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Shallaine Vern
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11 views4 pages

Nuclear Energy Guide

Sources Of Energy| Nuclear Energy notes

Uploaded by

Shallaine Vern
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Definition of Nuclear Energy:

Nuclear energy is the energy released from the nucleus of atoms through the
processes of nuclear fission or nuclear fusion. This energy is harnessed to
generate electricity, power, or even destructive force in nuclear weapons.

This energy is released through two processes:

1. Nuclear Fission:

In fission, the nucleus of a heavy atom (like thorium- 232, uranium-235, or


plutonium-239) is split into two smaller nuclei when hit by a neutron.

This splitting releases a significant amount of energy in the form of heat,


along with more neutrons.

The heat generated from the chain reaction is used to convert water into
steam, which spins turbines to produce electricity.

2. Nuclear Fusion:

Fusion involves combining two light atomic nuclei, such as hydrogen isotopes
(deuterium and tritium), to form a heavier nucleus (helium).

This process releases tremendous amounts of energy, similar to the


reactions powering the sun.

Fusion has the potential to provide a nearly limitless energy supply with
minimal radioactive waste, but it remains in the experimental phase.

3. Einstein’s Mass-Energy Equivalence (E = mc²):

The basic principle underlying both fission and fusion is that a small amount
of mass is converted into energy during these nuclear reactions.

This relationship, described by Einstein’s famous equation, explains how


nuclear reactions release so much energy from such small amounts of fuel.

Why Nuclear fusion is not yet widely used?

1.) High Temperatures and Pressures:

Fusion requires extremely high temperatures (millions of degrees Celsius)


and pressures to force atomic nuclei to combine. These conditions are found
in the sun and stars but are very difficult to recreate and maintain on Earth.
2.) Containment Issues:

Even if we achieve these high temperatures, containing the plasma (super-


hot, charged gas) without it touching and damaging reactor walls is a major
technological hurdle. Current experiments, like in tokamak reactors, use
magnetic fields to contain the plasma, but it’s still very unstable.

3.) Energy Input vs. Output:

So far, the energy required to initiate and sustain fusion reactions has been
more than the energy we can get out, making it inefficient for now.

Why Nuclear Fission is Used Instead:

1.) Easier to Control:

Nuclear fission, where heavy atoms like uranium or plutonium are split, is
easier to start and control compared to fusion. Fission reactions can be
sustained at much lower temperatures than fusion.

2.) Proven Technology:

Fission technology has been successfully used for decades in nuclear power
plants, so the infrastructure and knowledge already exist.

3.) Energy Output:

Fission generates significant amounts of energy and is efficient for electricity


production.

Why Nuclear Fission is Dangerous:

1. Radioactive Waste:

Fission reactions produce radioactive waste, which remains dangerous for


thousands of years. Safely storing and managing this waste is a long-term
environmental and safety concern.

2. Risk of Meltdown:

If the chain reaction in a nuclear reactor is not properly controlled, it can lead
to a meltdown, where the reactor core overheats, causing radiation to be
released. Disasters like Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) highlight
these risks.
3. Nuclear Weapons Proliferation:

The same technology used for fission power plants can be adapted to
produce nuclear weapons, making it a concern for global security.

Fusion’s Potential Advantages:

1.) Les Radioactive Waste:

Fusion produces much less radioactive waste than fission and uses abundant
fuel sources like hydrogen isotopes, making it a safer and cleaner potential
energy source.

1.) No Meltdown Risk:


Fusion does not have the same risk of a runaway reaction or meltdown,
as the conditions needed for fusion are so extreme that if anything
goes wrong, the reaction simply stops.

1896: Discovery of Radioactivity – Henri Becquerel discovered


radioactivity, establishing the basis for understanding nuclear
reactions, with further research by Marie and Pierre Curie.

1905: Einstein’s E = mc² – Albert Einstein introduced the mass-energy


equivalence theory, showing how energy can be released from atomic
nuclei, crucial for future nuclear advancements.

1938: Discovery of Nuclear Fission – Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann


discovered that splitting uranium atoms releases large amounts of
energy, marking the discovery of nuclear fission.

1942: First Controlled Nuclear Chain Reaction – Enrico Fermi and his
team in the U.S. achieved the first controlled nuclear chain reaction,
proving nuclear energy could be harnessed for practical use.

1945: Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki – The U.S. dropped


the first atomic bombs on Japan, using nuclear fission to release
massive energy, which led to the end of World War II and highlighted
the destructive power of nuclear energy.
1951: First Electricity from Nuclear Energy – The first usable electricity
generated by a nuclear reactor occurred at the Experimental Breeder
Reactor-I (EBR-I) in Idaho, USA, marking the beginning of nuclear
energy for electricity.

1956: Calder Hall- First Commercial Nuclear Power Plant


Location: United Kingdom
Significance: Calder Hall, which began operation in 1956, was the
world's first full-scale commercial nuclear power plant. It was designed
specifically for generating electricity for the national grid on a larger
scale. Calder Hall had a capacity of around 50 MW initially, which was
later expanded.
Key Difference:
Obninsk was the first to generate electricity for a grid but on a small
scale and with a research focus.
Calder Hall was the first large-scale, purpose-built commercial nuclear
power plant, dedicated primarily to electricity generation for the grid.

1957: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Established – The


IAEA was founded to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and
to prevent its use for military purposes, marking a step toward
international cooperation in nuclear technology.

1970s: Expansion of Nuclear Power– Many countries, including the


U.S., France, and the U.K., expanded nuclear power capacity to address
energy needs, especially after the oil crises of the 1970s.

1986: Chernobyl Disaster – A nuclear reactor explosion at Chernobyl in


the Soviet Union released large amounts of radiation, causing
widespread environmental and health impacts, and leading to
increased safety measures in the nuclear industry.

2011: Fukushima Disaster – A tsunami caused by an earthquake led to


a nuclear meltdown in Fukushima, Japan, sparking global concern over
the safety of nuclear reactors and leading some countries to reduce or
halt their nuclear energy programs.

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