How is nuclear energy generated? And why is it's large scale use prohibited?
Nuclear energy is generated by nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
Nuclear fusion is the reaction in which two or more nuclei combine together to form a new element with higher atomic number (more protons in the nucleus). The energy released in fusion is related to E = mc2 (Einstein’s famous energy-mass equation). On earth, the most likely fusion reaction is Deuterium-Tritium reaction. Deuterium and Tritium are both isotopes of hydrogen.
21Deuterium + 31Tritium = 42He + 10n + 17.6 MeV
For a nuclear fusion reaction to occur it is necessary to bring two nuclei so close that nuclear forces become active and glue the nuclei together. Nuclear forces are small-distance forces and have to act against the electrostatic forces where positively charged nuclei repel each other. This is the reason why nuclear fusion reactions occur mostly in high density, high temperature environment.
Nuclear fission is the splitting of a massive nucleus into photons in the form of gamma rays, free neutrons, and other subatomic particles. In a typical nuclear reaction involving 235U and a neutron:
23592U + n = 23692U followed by 23692U = 14456Ba + 8936Kr + 3n + 177 MeV
For a fission reaction, two conditions need to be satisfied:
- Critical mass of the substance (the minimum amount of mass is required for fission to be self-sustaining).
- A relatively slow neutron is required to initiate the process.
Nuclear energy is generated for use in a nuclear reactor. Nuclear reactor is a device to harness nuclear energy (fission energy) in a controlled and economic way. The energy produced is used to generate electricity and to power ships. The basic working process is: the tremendous heat generated from the fission reaction heats the working fluid (water or gas) which drives the turbine to generate electricity or drives the propeller in ships.
Reasons which make the large scale usage of nuclear energy prohibitive:
1-It releases radioactive products as it decays which keeps on emitting harmful nuclear radiation for thousands of years.
2-There is a risk of accidents in nuclear reactors.And also these reactors are capable of making enough plutonium to build nuclear bombs which is a great problem.
Nuclear energy is generated by nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
Nuclear fusion is the reaction in which two or more nuclei combine together to form a new element with higher atomic number (more protons in the nucleus). The energy released in fusion is related to E = mc2 (Einstein’s famous energy-mass equation). On earth, the most likely fusion reaction is Deuterium-Tritium reaction. Deuterium and Tritium are both isotopes of hydrogen.
21Deuterium + 31Tritium = 42He + 10n + 17.6 MeV
For a nuclear fusion reaction to occur it is necessary to bring two nuclei so close that nuclear forces become active and glue the nuclei together. Nuclear forces are small-distance forces and have to act against the electrostatic forces where positively charged nuclei repel each other. This is the reason why nuclear fusion reactions occur mostly in high density, high temperature environment.
Nuclear fission is the splitting of a massive nucleus into photons in the form of gamma rays, free neutrons, and other subatomic particles. In a typical nuclear reaction involving 235U and a neutron:
23592U + n = 23692U followed by 23692U = 14456Ba + 8936Kr + 3n + 177 MeV
For a fission reaction, two conditions need to be satisfied:
- Critical mass of the substance (the minimum amount of mass is required for fission to be self-sustaining).
- A relatively slow neutron is required to initiate the process.
Nuclear energy is generated for use in a nuclear reactor. Nuclear reactor is a device to harness nuclear energy (fission energy) in a controlled and economic way. The energy produced is used to generate electricity and to power ships. The basic working process is: the tremendous heat generated from the fission reaction heats the working fluid (water or gas) which drives the turbine to generate electricity or drives the propeller in ships.
Reasons which make the large scale usage of nuclear energy prohibitive:
1-It releases radioactive products as it decays which keeps on emitting harmful nuclear radiation for thousands of years.
2-There is a risk of accidents in nuclear reactors.And also these reactors are capable of making enough plutonium to build nuclear bombs which is a great problem.
