Nuclear Energy

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What is nuclear energy?

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Nuclear energy is the energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, particularly in the form of heat, which can be harnessed to generate electricity.

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What is fission?

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Fission is the process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into two lighter nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy.

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What is fusion?

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Fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy, as seen in stars.

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What is an atomic bomb?

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An atomic bomb is a weapon that derives its destructive power from nuclear fission, releasing a massive amount of energy in an uncontrolled reaction.

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What are the main concerns associated with nuclear energy?

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Concerns include the storage of radioactive waste, safety risks, potential for natural disasters, and high costs.

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What happened at the Three Mile Island accident?

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The Three Mile Island accident was a partial meltdown of a reactor in 1979, which resulted in the release of a small amount of radioactive gases but no deaths.

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What was the Chernobyl disaster?

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The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident in 1986 in Ukraine, resulting in a massive release of radioactive materials and long-term environmental impact.

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What is the difference between controlled and uncontrolled fission?

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Controlled fission occurs in nuclear reactors where the reaction is managed to produce energy, while uncontrolled fission occurs in atomic bombs.

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What is radioactive decay?

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Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation, transforming into a different element or isotope.

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What is the role of a nuclear reactor?

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A nuclear reactor is a device used to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction for the purpose of generating energy.