- 1). Uranium is the material used to create nuclear energy. The most common isotope of uranium is uranium-238 (U-238), which contains 146 neutrons. Fissionable uranium-235 (U-235), containing three fewer neutrons, is made from uranium-238 that has been enriched.
- 1). To enrich the uranium, scientists use a gaseous diffusion process or put the mineral through a centrifuge that spins the uranium so fast that it separates the U-238 and U-235. This process produces radiation. The number of neutrons is so high that the large atom becomes unstable. Energy particles shoot out and damage anything they contact, including humans.
- 1). For uranium to convert into nuclear energy, it must go through fission. This process takes place in nuclear reactors, and it works by shooting an extra neutron into the atom of U-235 to produce a rapid chain-reaction that splits through the material. The splitting creates enough heat to boil water, which creates steam. This high pressure steam is piped onto a turbine, which spins a generator to create electricity.
- 1). Nuclear energy has no emissions, so there is no pollution released into the air. However, the process does create nuclear waste, which must be securely stored so that it doesn't harm individuals, animals or the environment. The transport and storage of nuclear waste has become a contentious global political issue.
- 1). Nuclear waste consists of unspent uranium, plutonium, neptunium and other elements, and gamma-ray producing products that are fragments of atoms left over from the fission process. To rid the radioactive leftovers from this process, nuclear waste must cool and decay until it is relatively safe to store long-term. Each radioactive element has a half-life, the time it takes the element to decay to half its radioactive potency. Some radioactive elements can take thousands of years to become safe.
Types
Function
Features
Considerations
Effects
SHARE
