What is Nuclear Energy and Fission? | Definition, Types, Formula & Examples

What is Nuclear Energy and Fission?

Nuclear energy is the energy stored inside an atom by the forces that hold the atomic nucleus together. Scientists have learned how to derive large amounts of energy from these forces, which can then be used to generate electricity.

E = mc2

While researching his theory of relativity, Albert Einstein discovered the mathematical formula E = mc2. This formula proved that matter can be converted into energy. While it sounds like a simple concept, it has proven that large amounts of energy can be produced from very small amounts of matter. This can be done by splitting an atom in a process called nuclear fission.

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a large atom into two or more smaller atoms. When an atom is split, a huge amount of energy is released. When energy is released slowly and in a controlled manner, it can be used to generate the electricity that powers our homes. When energy is released all at once, a chain reaction occurs that causes a nuclear explosion.

Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear energy is one of the main applications of nuclear fission. Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to generate heat. They use this heat to create steam from the water, which in turn powers a generator.

About twenty percent of electricity in the United States is produced by nuclear power plants. There are 104 commercial nuclear power generating units in the United States.

Nuclear power plants use the element uranium as fuel. Uranium control rods are used to ensure that the chain reaction that separates the atoms takes place at a controlled rate.

Radioactive Waste

One of the by-products of nuclear energy is radioactive waste. These are materials left over from nuclear reactions. Radioactive substances can endanger human and animal life.

Other Uses of Nuclear Power

Nuclear energy has other uses besides power plants. One application is the nuclear propulsion of ships and submarines. Nuclear-powered submarines can stay underwater and travel at high speeds for long periods of time. Nuclear power has also been used in warships, polar icebreakers and spacecraft.

Nuclear Fusion

Another form of nuclear energy is nuclear fusion. Fusion occurs when two or more atoms combine to form a larger atom. Stars get their energy from nuclear fusion. Deep inside a star, hydrogen atoms are constantly being converted by fusion into helium atoms. It is this process that produces the light and thermal energy radiated from the stars, including the Sun.

Scientists have yet to figure out how to control fusion to produce usable energy. If they can, that would be great news because fusion produces less radioactive material and will provide us with virtually unlimited energy.

Interesting Facts about Nuclear Energy and Fission

The top three nuclear power producing states are Illinois, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

The United States produces more nuclear energy than any other country.

In the history of nuclear energy, there have been three major disasters that occurred at nuclear power plants, including Chernobyl (Ukraine), Three Mile Island (USA) and Fukushima Daiichi (Japan).

The first nuclear-powered submarine was the U.S.S. The Nautilus set sail in 1954.