What Is Nuclear Power?
Nuclear energy can be defined as the energy, released during a nuclear reaction. This release of energy takes place, according to the mass-energy equation given by Einstein. A nuclear reaction is of two types- nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. Nuclear fission reaction (controlled) is the basic principal of all commercial nuclear power reactors. Nuclear fusion is uncontrolled mod of nuclear reaction, but in this case, release of energy is much greater as compared to the case of controlled nuclear fission reaction, this reaction is the basis of all the stars including Sun.
Nuclear reactions
Nuclear fission reaction- a nuclear reaction in which larger molecule dissociates into smaller molecules, with huge release of energy. For example- dissociation of radioactive Uranium. This reaction is under control and it is the basic principal on which all nuclear reactors are working.
Nuclear fusion reaction- a nuclear reaction in which two smaller molecules fuses to form larger and heavier molecules. In this case release of energy is larger then nuclear fission, but to start fusion reaction extremely high temperature (temperature equitant to sun) is required. For example- fusion of deuterium molecules to produce helium.
Power of nuclear reactions
Nuclear energy is the most powerful type of energy. Even a small amount of radioactive material is enough to generate large amount of energy, for example- 1 tone of radioactive uranium provides energy equitant to the energy provided by 12 million barrels of the oil or 3 million tones of coal.
Nuclear reactors
Presently, 20 % of the electricity of the world is coming from nuclear reactors, and in coming future, this figure is going to increase rapidly because coal availability is decreasing day by day. Moreover, global warming concerns restrict the use of thermal power plants running on coal. First nuclear power plant of the world was basically designed for the electricity productions. It was inaugurated in 1975 (Calder Hall) in the Cumberland district of the U.K. Presently, more than 300 nuclear power plants are operational through out the world. USA holds maximum of them (83), then Russia (40), U.K (35), and France (34) comes in a line. Other major players are Germany (15), Canada (13) and Japan (25).
Hazards of nuclear power
During the complete cycle of nuclear application i.e. starting from- mining, processing of the impure Uranium, nuclear fission reaction, processing of the remaining nuclear fuel, decomposition of the nuclear waste. Extreme amounts of nuclear radiations enter and affect the environment of the earth. With extra-ordinary cautions, a chance of accidental leakage from the nuclear reactors is very less, but a small mistake will be extremely detrimental. Nuclear accidents of Chernobyl reactor and Three Mile Island are great examples of the risk involved. Moreover, by means of a nuclear bomb bad elements of the society can also miss-use the nuclear power, for destructive purposes. Nuclear bomb explosion is the greatest destruction which can happen on planet earth. A single explosion can claim millions of human lives. Human history is already black-marked with the nuclear explosions of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Japan), during second world-war. Nuclear bombs are the greatest treats to the safety of the world. Today, most of the countries are Nuclear powers, under these conditions any war can shape up into Nuclear War. So, nuclear power can be seen as a blessing and as a curse also. In both ways it is going to change the world, but as a blessing, the change will be much more convenient for human civilization.
