Nuclear energy and the nuclear fission process had first been discovered and developed between the years of 1895 and 1945. The energy created from the nuclear fission process is a highly efficient and powerful energy. The main element used in the fission reaction is Uranium-235. The process involves inserting a single neutron into the U-235, which then becomes an unstable form of Uranium, U-236. This causes the fission to occur and yields two separate neutrons, a Krypton-92 atom, and a Barium-142 atom. Those spare neutrons released can then be absorbed into other U-235 atoms to continue the fission process. This chain reaction is controlled by rods within the nuclear reactor where the heat from the fission is used to heat water inside the reactor to create steam that is forced through a turbine that is connected to a generator.

There are many advantages and risks that come with nuclear fission and nuclear power plants. Some of the advantages include having a large energy source because the energy in just one pound of the enriched Uranium compares to roughly 1 million gallons of gasoline and one million times the amount of energy contained in one pound of coal. 17% of the world’s energy comes from nuclear production. Finally, nuclear energy reduces the emission of 5.1 million tons of sulfur, 2.4 million tons of nitrogen oxide, and 164 metric tons of carbon.

On the other hand, nuclear power plants have the possibility of emitting radioactive material into the air or into the oceans when the dispose of materials irresponsibly. As we found out about Fukushima Daiichi, power plants have the risk of being compromised and shut down incorrectly, causing nuclear disasters that could put a large amount of the population in danger of radiation. Although these risks remain present, nuclear power plants are extremely cautious of how they dispose of their waste to ensure that the public is not exposed to highly radioactive materials.