When you hear the word “nuclear” as an American it may conjure up images of the 2011 nuclear power plant explosion in Japan, commonly referred to as the “Fukushima Accident”or even discussions of nuclear weapons or nuclear war with the United States and and foreign nations. It is true, this form of energy is the center of many controversial debates but within the political sphere, not much space has been provided to explore the processes and future implications that comes with using this form of energy. Taking a scientific approach perhaps, will help the public to better understand the why and the how behind something so often overlooked.

The Processes that Create Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is remarked as one of the greatest scientific achievements in history. In 1789, a German scientist named Martin Klaproth discovered uranium – an important component to creating  this type of energy. But it was not until Enrico Fermi, an Italian physicist discovered nuclear fission that research within the scientific community became much more informed.^[1]    Fission is the process by which one atom is divided into two while nuclear fusion another crucial procedure, is the process by which “two lighter atoms” is combined into one large atom. ^[2]     

When producing nuclear energy, uranium isotopes and plutonium isotopes are what is used to fuel technology such as nuclear reactors. Essentially, nuclear fission can be explained to be a chain reaction, following with the example of nuclear reactors, fission occurs when either a uranium-235 or plutonium-239 nucleus is hit with high speed particles called neutrons. When all of this energy collides with the nucleus even more neutrons are then released and this chain reaction, as referred to previously produces energy.^[3]    Before taking a look at the next type of reaction,  the diagram below which will help you to visualize fusion. You be thinking to yourself that the unstable nature of this reaction can be difficult to maintain, that is why it is extremely important that such processes inside nuclear reactors and other technologies are controlled.

 

     Now that we have gone into detail about fission, fusion is quite literally the opposite. Put into the context of our environment, the sun receives its energy from fusion. Since this process involves  “a merging of separate elements into a unified whole” you can conclude that several elements comprise the sun’s energy. Simplified, hydrogen nuclei join to form helium nuclei. Similar to fission, it takes energy to cause the hydrogen nuclei to collide and fuse together^[3] . As with fusion, it is important that this reaction is controlled; Scientists have found that fusion has created smaller amounts of hazardous radioactive material but the issue of how to contain this reaction is just what prevents efforts on using this pathway to creating nuclear energy. ^[3]

 

Nuclear Disposal in the United States 

Like other forms of energy, nuclear energy creates waste. However, what makes nuclear waste much different from other energy sources  is the large scale emission of harmful radiation that that can be caused if it is not stored properly. People in nearby communities can suffer life-long health consequences such as cancer. So what is the United States doing about this issue to protect people? According to journalists and those who work in the energy industry firsthand, opinions are mixed on whether or not the United States is doing the right thing in terms of public safety aspect of this. As of 2017, the U.S. has stored its nuclear waste in the Waste Isolation Power Plant in New Mexico. However, it should be understood that the harmful effects of radiation remain in effect for many years. Due to the country’s extensive research on nuclear energy as well as creating weaponry and other tools, the WIPP has reached its capacity   ^[4]As expected, the United States Department of Energy plans to expand the power plant’s area in order to store more radioactive materials. As scientists continue to weigh in on the threat that this could cause to human health, we can continue to observe the trajectory of nuclear energy use in the U.S.

If you could debate for or against nuclear energy which side would you choose?

 

Sources:

1. Monaghan, A., 2016. A Short History of Nuclear Fission. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/28/a-short-history-of-nuclear-fission [Accessed March 23, 2018].
2. Anon, 2013. Fission vs. Fusion . Duke Energy . Available at: https://nuclear.duke-energy.com/2013/01/30/fission-vs-fusion-whats-the-difference [Accessed March 24, 2018].
3. Anon, GCSE Bitesize: Nuclear fission. BBC. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa_pre_2011/radiation/nuclearfissionrev1.shtml [Accessed March 24, 2018].
4. Anon, 2017. America’s only underground nuclear waste dump is running out of space. ABC News. Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-08/us-nuclear-waste-dump-new-mexico-running-out-of-space/8884602 [Accessed March 24, 2018].