Nuclear Energy: Efficient but Controversial

Energy is the fuel to a continually living world. Without energy life on earth will never be possible. It is the most important thing that is needed to maintain all forms of life and people need to conserve energy in all ways they can to be able to have enough energy to sustain our aging planet. Energy has many uses and it, mainly it is for supply of electricity in every household in the world. This alone proves how important energy is for every single individual. Our usual activities that we are already used to will not be possible if energy does not exist. There are many forms of energy present in our universe like mechanical, radiant, electrical, thermal, radiant and atomic energy. The most divisive of these forms of energy is the atomic energy also known as nuclear energy.

What do you know about nuclear energy? Most individuals are quite unaware of the specifics of this form of energy. Some are not oriented on how it works and how it produces electricity for houses. Nuclear energy can be defined as an energy form that is an outcome of the fission and fusion of the nucleus of an atom. Uranium235 is the most common element used in nuclear energy. Its nucleus contains particles that if it undergoes the process of nuclear fission or splitting, it produces energy. The energy that is produced usually wears off that is why nuclear plants are constructed so that experts can control the released energy using a nuclear reactor. Nuclear reactors are gigantic structures that contain the elements that are responsible for nuclear reactions that eventually produce large amounts of energy. These reactors play a big role in the regulation of heat within a nuclear plant. There are cooling pumps and other components that help in the production and the entire process of the nuclear reaction. The reactor is connected to a turbine generator that becomes functional because of the steam produced through the nuclear reaction within the chamber. Ones the turbine can turn continually, the generators then produce electricity that is sent to a power grid with the use of transmission cables. This then can be utilized by households for their machines and equipments. It was found out that utilization of nuclear energy is less expensive in comparison to other forms of energy.

The mechanism of nuclear energy seems easy to understand but certain groups that know the negative effects of the utilization of this form of energy are completely against it. The main concern of its utilization is the negative effects it can produce in the health of humans. High emission of radiation from these nuclear products is difficult to dispose and needs a special area for disposal and storage. Radioactivity of the products may last for very long periods of time that it can pose a threat to the next generations. People living near nuclear plants within few kilometers of its radius are at grave danger if an unexpected accident will happen in the facility. When the condition within the nuclear reactor becomes unstable, it becomes difficult to control and accident is likely to happen. There are incidents wherein a nuclear plant was mismanaged by the people handling the nuclear reactor and the result was very intense that almost the entire facility exploded and numerous people were killed in the explosion. The area around the facility turned into a ghost town as radiation traveled far than expected and many establishments were closed and houses vacated. Once radiation gets in contact with humans, it damages the tissues in the body and produces fatal effects. Nuclear energy has been greatly used as explosives during wars that could kill thousands of people at a short period of time. It does not only pose a threat to the health of humans but can also be destructive to our environment. It can greatly affect our climate and the normal processes that are naturally occurring in our planet. Many are against the usage of these deadly weapons for its damage is too devastating, and it will greatly affect a number of people.

Though we can say that nuclear energy has certain uses but its risks outweigh the benefits. This might be the major reason why many people find this form of energy very controversial.