Nuclear energy is the energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, especially when used to generate electricity. When energy is released when an atom is split in two it is called fission. When two parent nuclei merge and release energy this is called fusion.
Nuclear Power Plant-
The chain reaction that occurs during fission (neutrons cause other atoms to split) creates the heat that is used to generate electricity in a power plant. Uranium, a heavy metal that is mined, is the most common fuel in Nuclear Power plants
Advantages:
Efficiency: a pound of Uranium= one million gallons of gasoline.
Cleanliness: 164 tons of carbon do not enter the atmosphere annually because of nuclear energy(more nuclear energy use will increase this)
Disadvantages:
Radiation can cause genetic mutations, some do not have a great effect, like blue eyes, others can result in horrors found in chernobyl.
Radiation has been linked to causing cancer.