NUCLEAR ENERGY

Nuclear power is the controlled use of nuclear reactions to release energy for work including propulsion, heat, and the generation of electricity. Use of nuclear power to do significant useful work is currently limited to nuclear fission and radioactive decay (see Wikipedia).

How is nuclear energy produced? Currently the simple answer is that Uranium is used in a fission reaction, where neutrons are shot at uranium nuclei (the core of the atoms), splitting them. This causes two reactions; the release of energy and the release of more neutrons which then can be used to split more uranium nuclei. Hence the term "chain reaction."

Enrico Fermi directed a classical series of experiments which ultimately led to the atomic pile and the first controlled nuclear chain reaction. This took place in Chicago on December 2, 1942 at the University of Chicago (see Nobelprize.org).

Today, well run nuclear energy plants do not produce the much feared nuclear waste known from the earlier years in the industry. There are companies now that specialize in administering to the needs of the entire fuel cycle, down to the recycling of the spent light water reactor fuel. One such company is the Areva Group. If you have an interest in this sort of company, see Areva's career page.

"What is the reason for yet more nuclear energy companies?" The simple answer to this question is that one ton of uranium can produce the same amount of energy that is produced by burning several million tons of coal or several million barrels of oil. See the ThinkQuest Library to learn more about nuclear energy.

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